English Speaking Regions of Cameroon Suffer Internet Blackout
A spate of violent demonstrations in the English-speaking region of Cameroon has prompted a government crackdown which culminated in the shutting down of Internet services. The reason for Internet blockade is apparently what the government see as anti-government protests in the region after French was forcefully adopted as the official language in schools and the courts. Three weeks and the blockade still stands, but the residents are hopeful full Internet services will be restored.
Why the Blockage ?
More than 5 million people who live in the Northern and South West regions are affected by the shutdown. Government is justifying the ban saying that most of the ongoing protests in the region are for the clamour of federalism or separation, but according to citizens they are protesting the forceful introduction of French as the official language to be used in schools and the courts which have led to mass arrests of civilians since November 2016 fuelling more protests and demonstrations. Tension has been rising in the region because the English speaking regions see themselves as being discriminated against by the French who happen to be the majority. The quick turn of events has led to teachers and workers strike which has rendered the city of Bamenda a ghost town every Monday and Tuesday (the days of protests).
Day 29 without Internet by a repressive government of La Republique du Cameroun. #FreeSouthernCameroons n #BringBackOurInternet pic.twitter.com/YtKEzG3sUX
— Finila (@Ambaexit) February 15, 2017
There is a lot of confusion at this stage especially when the government is detaining activists who are objected the use of official documents written in French. Many business and financial institutions have been badly affected not counting out on the effects of communication barrier supervised by the government. All this is happening despite the Internet being classified as a basic human right.
Is There Hope for Cameroon?
It became apparently clear that the shutdown was commissioned by the government, the moment they started compelling telecommunication operators to send mass texts warning people of being jailed if anyone sends or shares malicious information. This has increased the rift where the subscribers are accusing the communication companies of succumbing to government pressure by sharing vital information.
Cameroon’s only optic fiber is state controlled rendering the operators powerless when it comes to controlling service delivery. This has led to an online petition running on the hashtag #BringBackOurInternet which hopefully will restore communication in the North West and South regions.
Regional organizations like the African Freemon of Expression Exchange are asking the government to look for better ways of working with the aggrieved citizens and resolve the impasse.
And Finally
What is happening in Cameron at the moment may not be an isolated case in the continent, other countries like Morocco, Uganda, Gambia, Ethiopia, and Gabon use the same tactics to shut down criticism from regions perceived to be in the opposition stronghold. Such actions may seem passive especially in a continent where access to the Internet is considered a luxury for those who can afford it, but in the actual sense, according to the United Nations, such actions violate international law. Read more on UN declaration on the Internet
On the international scene Turkey is well known for using Internet blockade to silence political protests and dissidents.
