The fourth book in the series is now available to download here. Edited by Felicia Anthonio and Dr. Tony Roberts.

This open access book provides ten in-depth case studies of state-sponsored internet shutdowns across all regions of Africa. In so doing, it offers the first-ever comparative analysis of how African states use internet shutdowns as tools to close civic space, suppress opposition, and maintain power.

Authored entirely by African researchers, Internet Shutdowns in Africa shows how shutdowns are used as a tactic of war, to blackout news of state violence, or to disrupt opposition protests. At the same time, the findings gathered here demonstrate the wide variety of forms these shutdowns take: they can be nationwide or localised; they can target a specific social media platform or website; or they can avoid the appearance of a complete shutdown by throttling connection speeds; and all of these types of shutdowns can last weeks, months, or even years. Ultimately, the book provides a unique comparative assessment of the dramatic economic, social, and political consequences of shutdowns – some intentional and some unintended - as well as on how different demographic groups are affected in very different ways, all of which produces actionable recommendations.

Ch 1.  An introduction to critical internet shutdowns research in Africa  ▪  Felicia Anthonio and Tony Roberts

Ch 2.  Zimbabwe’s 2019 internet shutdown: The interplay of technology, rights and power  ▪  Nompilo Simanje 

Ch 3.  Internet shutdowns in the Democratic Republic of Congo  ▪  Arsène Tungali

Ch 4.  Weaponization of the internet during Zambia’s 2021 election  ▪  Susan Mwape

Ch 5.  Shrouded in shadows: Human rights, armed conflicts and internet shutdowns in Ethiopia  ▪  Yohannes Eneyew Ayalew and Lea Mehari Redae

Ch 6.  Internet shutdowns in Sudan, power, counter-power and rights  ▪  Khattab Hamad

Ch 7.  A rights-based approach to assessing internet shutdowns in Nigeria  ▪  Thobekile Matimbe and Charles Kajoloweka

Ch 8.  Internet shutdowns in Chad  ▪  Qemal Affagnon

Ch 9.  Internet shutdowns in Senegal: How power interests      prevail over citizen rights  ▪  Ababacar Diop

Ch 10. Internet shutdowns in Burkina Faso: Technology, rights and power’  ▪  Harold Adjaho

Ch 11. Algeria’s internet shutdowns and school exams     ▪  Kassem Mnejja

Ch 12. Uganda’s 2021 election: Platforms versus the state versus citizens  ▪  Juliet Nanfuka

Ch 13. Conclusions on critical internet shutdown research     ▪  Felicia Anthonio and Tony Roberts 

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