Elections

Report | Up to 22 African governments have ordered network disruptions in the last four years and since the start of 2019, six African countries – Algeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Chad, Gabon, Sudan and Zimbabwe – have experienced internet shutdowns. A new report by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for […] Read more

#KeepItOn | Nous, la coalition pour un Internet libre et ouvert: Réaffirmons que l’internet ouvert, accessible et sécurisé, en particulier durant les élections, facilite la libre circulation et l’accès à l’information, en plus de favoriser la liberté d’expression en ligne et hors ligne.   Nos organisations sont préoccupées par la récente tendance d’interférences illégitimes dans […] Read more

By Juliet Nanfuka | The Collaboration on International ICT Policy in East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) has joined the #KeepItOn coalition in urging the Nigerian Authorities to ensure that access to digital communications remains open before, during and after the elections which take place on February 16, 2019. The call implores the state to reaffirm […] Read more

By Edrine Wanyama | Internet access and Short Message Services (SMS) were interrupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) on January 20, 2018 ahead of a peaceful protest march organised by the Catholic Church to compel President Joseph Kabila to step down following the expiry of his final term in office. The country […] Read more

By Shitemi Khamadi | In 2015, Allan Wadi, became the first Kenyan to be convicted of hate speech online. At a May 2017 training on internet and the law, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge to avoid future arrest and prosecution. While he is currently facing an incitement to violence […] Read more

By Ashnah Kalemera | The Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), the body that regulates telecommunication services, has dismissed a statement by the country’s electoral body regarding vetting of social media posts by candidates in the upcoming elections. This principled move by RURA needs to be commended, and just like the authority has steadfastly held service […] Read more

Joint Letter | President Yahya Jammeh cc: Gambia Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) Gambia Permanent Mission to the United Nations African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 30 November 2016 Your Excellency, We are writing to urgently request that you ensure the stability and openness of the internet during the forthcoming elections in Gambia on […] Read more

By Arthur Gwagwa | The defining era in Zambia’s current rise in online political and civic activism can be traced back to the period between 2011 and 2013. This is when the late President Sata embraced social media as part of his political and public diplomacy strategy.  As the country now prepares for the August 2016 […] Read more