Congo Government Reboots Internet After Blackout to Hinder Dissent

Internet was restored to the Democratic Republic of Congo this Saturday, 7 February, and SMS service was returned the next day after restrictions imposed by the acting government were ended, RFI reports. The blackout was undertaken in response to continuous disturbances in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, starting January 19. Hundreds of Congolese went out onto the streets protesting President Joseph Kabila's rule. The protest surrounds Kabila's desire to serve a third term, which is against the country's constitution. To avoid the restriction, the senate attempted to pass legislation requiring a national census, yet motions needed to conduct it might take more time than the president has left until the end of his term, effectively prolonging Kabila’s term, potentially, for years.

The government's actions prompted fighting on the streets of Kinshasa which soon spread to eastern provinces. Clashes with the police resulted in more than 15 citizens killed in three days according to official figures, while the International Federation for Human Rights put the death toll at 42. In an attempt to quell the protests, the government took a decision to suspend the Internet and mobile telecommunications in the country, to prevent opposition forces from coordinating their actions.

Later that week, the UN intervened and put pressure on Kabila to calm the civil conflict, with the Senate rejecting the census act. Although the unrest had effectively ceased, an increased amount of military and police were visible on the streets, and telecommunications were not brought back completely until Saturday.