SHRINKING DEMOCRACY, GROWING VIOLENCE 24 Africa Regional overview in 2023 19 9 17 shutdowns shutdowns shutdowns 12 7 9 countries countries countries 2021 2022 2023 2022 2023 44.5% Ethiopia: 4 Senegal: 4 Guinea: 2 Tanzania: 2 Gabon: 1 Somaliland: 1 Uganda: 1 First-time offenders: Kenya: 1 Mozambique: 1 33.3% 58.8% 58.8% 58.8% of shutdowns related to protests 58.8% of shutdowns targeted platforms Senegal: 4 Ethiopia: 2 Gabon: 1 Guinea: 1 Mozambique: 1 Somaliland: 1 Ethiopia: 2 Guinea: 2 Senegal: 2 Tanzania: 2 Kenya: 1 Uganda: 1 In 2023, we saw a resurgence of internet shutdowns in Africa with 17 incidents recorded in nine countries — nearly double the nine shutdowns in seven countries in 2022, which was a record low for the region following a steady downward trend from 2020. This spike in 2023 raises serious concerns about the ongoing use of shutdowns as a weapon of control in the region. Amid an overall declining situation for human rights in Africa,84 governments imposed shutdowns during protests, elections, national exams, and conflict. The aim: to silence dissent and block the free flow of information. After a shocking seven countries in the region imposed their first internet shutdown in 2021, 2022 offered a reprieve, with no new countries joining the offenders list. Unfortunately, two new perpetrators emerged in 2023: Mozambique disrupted mobile networks while violently cracking down on protests around local elections,85 and Kenya blocked Telegram during national exams,86 reversing course after having rejected platform blocking during its elections the previous year.87 Despite these setbacks, there were positive developments worth celebrating in 2023. As we’ve previously noted, authorities in the Democratic 84 Freedom House (2024). NEW REPORT: Africa Marks a Decade of Decline in Freedom, with 2023 Being Marred by Electoral Violence and Civil Conflict. https://freedomhouse.org/article/new-report-africa-marks-decade-decline-freedom-2023-beingmarred-electoral-violence-and/ 85 Club of Mozambique (2023). CIP Mozambique Elections: Internet cut, counting starts. https://clubofmozambique.com/news/ cip-mozambique-elections-internet-cut-counting-starts-246517/ 86 Access Now (2023). Open letter: clarification on Telegram blocking in Kenya. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/ open-letter-clarification-on-telegram-blocking-in-kenya/ 87 Access Now (2023). Warning: blocking online platforms in Kenya will spread election disinformation. https://www.accessnow. org/press-release/kenya-online-platforms-social-media-blocking-internet-shutdown-election/