INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2023 doubt on the transparency and fairness of the election.110 Unsurprisingly, the Gabonese Election Centre declared Bongo the victor, which would have extended his presidential tenure into a third term.111 However, the military enacted a coup, annulled the election results, and immediately restored internet access, ending the three-day shutdown.112 In Mozambique, authorities responded to opposing voices during local elections in October by cracking down on opposition members, journalists, and human rights defenders, including through arbitrary arrests and shootings.113 The announcement of the election outcome sparked mass protests across the country against alleged electoral fraud,114 and that is when, for the first time in our records, authorities disrupted access to the internet, shutting it down for about three hours amid reports of power outages.115 110 27 These disruptions represent deplorable attacks on democracy. But as we highlighted above, the DRC, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, all past offenders, each made and upheld commitments to keep people connected during elections.116 African countries thereby led the way globally among past offenders in demonstrating a commitment to reform, a positive example for countries in the region and around the world. There was more good news in March 2024, when the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) issued its resolution condemning election shutdowns in Africa, crucially recognizing the importance of access to the internet for the realization of human rights, and calling for states to take action to keep people connected during elections, including through legislation and other interventions.117 Countries with electionrelated shutdowns in Africa in 20236 Past offenders who made commitments to #KeepItOn during elections in 20236 Gabon DRC Mozambique Nigeria Uganda Sierra Leone Ibid. 111 Reuters (2023). Gabon President Ali Bongo wins third term after disputed election. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ gabon-president-ali-bongo-wins-third-term-after-disputed-election-2023-08-30/ 112 Reporters Without Borders (2024). Reacting to Gabonese army's post-coup statements, RSF issues ten recommendations for respecting press freedom. https://rsf.org/en/reacting-gabonese-army-s-post-coup-statements-rsf-issues-tenrecommendations-respecting-press/ 113 Club of Mozambique (2023). Mozambique: Shootings, arrests, internet and power outages taints vote counts, Sala da Paz says. https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-shootings-arrests-internet-and-power-outages-taint-vote-countssala-da-paz-says-246532/ 114 ISS Africa (2023). Fraudulent municipal elections cripple democracy in Mozambique. https://issafrica.org/iss-today/ fraudulent-municipal-elections-cripple-democracy-in-mozambique/ 115 Supra note 43. 116 Supra note 13. 117 Supra note 48.