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According to&nbsp;<a href="https://surfshark.com/research/internet-censorship" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surfshark’s Internet Shutdown Tracker,&nbsp;</a>which tracks cases of internet and social media restrictions globally, Mozambique experienced six internet restrictions over just under two weeks. 
According to it, the first restriction occurred on October 25, disrupting mobile internet traffic during protests after the presidential election results were announced. The second restriction took place on October 31, affecting access to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp and it is still ongoing. 
Then, additional mobile internet shutdowns were added which impacted TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube. Thereafter, the country experienced three consecutive days of mobile internet curfew blackouts starting 3rd of November and ending on the 6th of November. 
According to Justas Pukys, VPN Product Manager at Surfshark, the internet restrictions in Mozambique reflect a growing trend of governments limiting access during political unrest. This, he said, is impacting safety and essential information flow. 
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“These shutdowns disrupt daily life, from business to education, and pose a significant threat to open internet and free speech in the region. With the situation changing quickly, it is important for people to keep up with news from local and international sources. They should also take steps to protect their privacy by using secure communication tools like private messaging apps, encrypted email services, and VPNs”, he. added. 
Overall, data from the Surfshark tracker indicates that Africa is the second most intensive region by internet shutdowns. According to it, 8 out of 10 Africans have been hit by internet shutdowns since 2015. 
<pre class="wp-block-preformatted">African countries block access to social media the most (34 countries), especially amid political turmoil or elections. 1/3 of African countries have restricted access to internet services because of elections.</pre> 
Recall that last Friday, the Mauritius communications regulator ordered all internet service providers to suspend access to social media platforms until November 11, a day after the upcoming general election. According to it, the temporary ban on social media platforms was in response to “illegal postings”. 
The ban was prompted by the release of 20 secret recordings of phone conversations by politicians, journalists, members of civil society and even foreign diplomats that emerged online last month. 
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<h4 id="anger-protest-in-mozambique-over-recent-elections" class="wp-block-heading">Anger protest in Mozambique over recent elections</h4> 
Anger has mounted since election authorities said the long-ruling Frelimo party won the elections held in October, extending its 49-year rule. Human rights groups say at least 18 people have been killed in the police crackdown on protests since then. 
The election was hotly contested, with many young people supporting independent candidate Venancio Mondlane, who says the vote was rigged and encouraged demonstrations. Protesters chanted “Power to the people” and “Frelimo must fall” and some blockaded streets with burning tyres and held homemade signs supporting Mondlane. 
Mozambique’s Constitutional Council has not yet certified the election results, a process that usually takes around two months. Civil society groups and Western observers also said the election was unfair and that results were altered. 
The protests culminated in a march on the capital Maputo today. Security forces responded with tear gas and live ammunition while the government restricted internet access and threatened to deploy the army. 
President Filipe Nyusi has not spoken since the protests escalated. His defence minister has threatened to deploy the army and warned against attempts to grab power. 
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South Africa has temporarily closed its main border crossing with Mozambique over safety concerns. The country closed the Lebombo port of entry in its Mpumalanga province after receiving reports of vehicles being torched on the Mozambican side 
On Tuesday it ordered the electoral commission to clarify within 72 hours why there had been discrepancies in the number of votes counted in the presidential, legislative and provincial elections, according to a letter seen by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/mozambique-police-fire-tear-gas-opposition-supporters-march-capital-2024-11-07/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>. 
Also, many Mozambicans have expressed frustration at the lack of economic opportunities while the country is rich in natural resources. 
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The post <a href="https://technext24.com/2024/11/07/mozambique-6-internet-restrictions-2-wks/">Riots: Mozambique experienced 6 internet restrictions in just two weeks</a> first appeared on <a href="https://technext24.com">Technext</a>.

Riots: Mozambique experienced 6 internet restrictions in just two weeks

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