Forget about Uganda! This country shut social media for one year

Last year it was Uganda imposing tax on the usage of internet but Chad’s case is different, the government shut social media.

Social media is a great platform to spread news, inspiration, propaganda, and incitement.

The government of Chad had a threat from social media and took a step to shut it down since March 2018.

The socila media blackout happened shortly after the conclusion of a national conference which recommended changes to the constitution, to allow President Idriss Deby to remain in power until 2033.

Social media has proved its power as evident in Kenya where Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) acts as the 5th Estate in manning everything happening in the country.

Activists in Chad are demanding that the government restore access to social media after it was cut off a year ago.

Critics of Mr. Deby have been mobilising through social media since the last presidential elections in 2016 and this led to government shutting social media.

According to BBC reporter, the government considers social media a serious threat.

Rebel movements hostile to President Deby are still active in the country. In February the French military, at the request of the Chadian army, attacked a heavily armed rebel convoy arriving from Libya.

According to a security official, the government believes social media could enable rebel leaders to recruit more young people.

The rise of Alshabaab in East Africa i because of radicalization through social media platforms.