Mozambique has joined the growing list of African countries resorting to internet censorship to stifle dissent and control the flow of information during politically sensitive periods. This unprecedented move by the Mozambican government has drawn sharp criticism from media organisations and human rights groups, who denounce it as an infringement on freedom of expression and access to information.
The internet disruption occurred amidst protests following the announcement of election results, which were contested by independent presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane. The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Mozambique reported a significant slowdown of internet speeds, particularly on Friday, October 25th, coinciding with the protests.
MISA Mozambique conducted its own investigations and confirmed that mobile internet access was completely blocked for over 18 hours across the country. Through verification carried out by MISA Regional at the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis (IODA) platform, they also found evidence of “bandwidth throttling,” a technique used to intentionally slow down internet speeds.
“The reduction in internet speed in Mozambique occurred on the afternoon of October 25th, in a context where the country has been experiencing an environment of violent tension due to the announcement of the election results,” MISA stated.
This incident marks the first time the Mozambican government has interfered with internet access, raising concerns about a growing trend of internet censorship in Africa. Several other countries on the continent have resorted to similar tactics during elections or periods of political unrest, often to suppress dissent and control the narrative.
MISA Mozambique condemned the internet disruption, stating that it was intended to limit the exchange of information and hinder freedom of expression during a critical period. This sentiment is echoed by other human rights organisations, who warn against the erosion of digital rights and the suppression of dissent.
The internet shutdown not only impacted the ability of citizens to communicate and access information but also disrupted online services, businesses, and social activities. This highlights the far-reaching consequences of internet censorship, which can have a significant impact on economic activity and social life.
The incident in Mozambique underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability from governments regarding internet shutdowns and censorship practices. Restricting access to information undermines democratic principles and hinders the free flow of information, which is essential for a healthy society.
