Consumer advocacy groups in Togo have reported internet and social media access restrictions in the country since deadly protests last month, one of their officials told AFP on Friday.
The restrictions follow two rare waves of protests against the arrest of government critics, electricity price hikes and constitutional reforms that have allowed veteran leader Faure Gnassingbe, 59, to consolidate his power.
Civil society groups and opposition parties have said that seven people were killed during the anti-government demonstrations in the capital Lome, with dozens more injured and over 60 detained.
“Since June 26, Togolese authorities have been restricting access to the internet and social media. This constitutes a serious infringement of freedom of expression,” said Emmanuel Sogadji, president of the Togolese Consumers’ League (LCT).
“We condemn this act and call on authorities to act reasonably and lift these ongoing restrictions,” he added.
The Togolese Consumers Association (ATC) also reported “difficulties using social media applications and platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook and even WhatsApp”, raising “deep concern among consumers”.
Aside from Togolese consumer rights groups, the London-based internet access monitoring organisation NetBlocks also reported that “TikTok, Facebook and Telegram access has been restricted” for at least three days since June 26.
Authorities have not commented on these restrictions and by Friday afternoon, they had not responded to AFP’s request for comments.
The country’s two operators, Moov and Yas Togo, have not commented either.
In 2017, the court of justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) had already condemned internet shutdowns in Togo.