Senegal: Lawmakers to Discuss Social Media Regulations

There are plans in motion to push through legislation in order to curb social media usage in Senegal, according to President Macky Sall.

Speaking at a trade union conference on Tuesday, 3 May, Sall took a swipe at online social networks,saying: “No organised society can accept what is happening here today. We are going to put an end to it, one way or another.”

He plainly described social media as “a real cancer of modern societies” that encourages “abuses” and “excesses”.

Sall’s comments fuel concerns that more violence could be expected in the future, similar to what occurred during local elections in January, as political tensions led to instances of violence between political groups across the country via mass online mobilisation.

Last year, journalists were intimidated online and physically harassedt after reporting rape allegations against official opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko. His arrest led to major demonstrations against Sall’s government, which saw 13 people killed and several injured.

Many activists are concerned that Sall’s proposed legislation could potentially be used to prevent social society from organising anti-government protests.

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