Senegal's president wants to regulate social media

Senegal's President Macky Sall has said he plans to regulate social media in the West African nation, describing it as a "a real cancer of modern societies".

“No organised society can accept what is happening here today. We are going to put an end to it, one way or another,” local media quoted him as saying.

Political tensions during local elections in January led to fears of widespread violence via online mobilisation.

This followed the case last year of main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, who was accused of rape. His arrest led to rare mass anti-government protests in which at least 13 people killed and several others injured.

Protesters demonstrate against the arrest of Barthelemy Diaz, Ousmane Sonko and Malick Gakou in Dakar - 10 November 2021

Image caption: The protests over Ousmane Sonko reflected broader economic discontent amongst the young

Journalists also spoke out about receiving online and physical abuse for reporting the rape allegations.

There are fears that legal measures could be used to crack down on youths using social media to mobilise demonstrations against Mr Sall's administration.

Source: BBC 

Reader's Comments

LATEST STORIES

UPDF salutes women peacekeepers in Somalia
news By BillClinton Nuwahereza
6 hours ago
UPDF salutes women peacekeepers in Somalia
The struggle of retail shops in Uganda
business By Sam Ibanda Mugabi
6 hours ago
The struggle of retail shops in Uganda
Jimmy Akena: I'll stand for president in 2026
top-stories By Lukia Nantaba
7 hours ago
Jimmy Akena: I'll stand for president in 2026
Panic Grips Kasensero as Mysterious Illness Emerges
news By Zainab Namusaazi Ssengendo
14 hours ago
Panic Grips Kasensero as Mysterious Illness Emerges