Senegal’s communications minister announced on Wednesday that the country has suspended access to the social media app TikTok until further notice, the decision comes shortly after the government restricted the use of mobile internet amid opposition protests.
“The minister… informs the public that it has been observed that the TikTok application is the social network favoured by people with bad intentions to spread hateful and subversive messages threatening the stability of the country,” the minister’s statement said.
Since Monday, the West African country has also limited access to internet services, citing a similar justification.
The restrictions were imposed following the charging of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko with plotting an insurrection, criminal conspiracy, and other offenses.
Throughout the year, Senegal has witnessed sporadic violent protests, with opposition supporters accusing President Macky Sall of levying charges against Sonko to disqualify him from the next election.