People on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius are in shock after the sudden ban on social media in the run-up to the general election.
Access to platforms including Facebook, TikTok and X was suspended on Friday 1 November and will remain in place until Monday 11 November – the day after voters go to the polls.
The Mauritian government has reportedly requested the ban be actioned by Mauritius’ International Institue of Communications, because of a believed threat to national security.
Mauritian editor and journalist Anne-Lise Mestry said: “I don’t know how to put words to this. We can’t really believe this is happening.
“We’re in disbelief. We’re angry.”
Mauritian writer Ariel Saramandi shared a video on Instagram this morning – uploaded using a VPN, which hides a person’s location – detailing the social media shutdown.
She said: “I’m very stressed right now. This is horrendous.”
Mauritian Member of Parliament Joanna Berenger represents the party Mauritian Militant Movement which sits in opposition to the governing Militant Socialist Movement.
She said: “The recent social media shutdown represents a grave violation of democratic principles and a direct infringement of our fundamental rights.
“It has dealt a serious blow to the reputation of Mauritius, which has long prided itself on upholding transparency and freedom.”
The block is in response to a wiretapping scandal revealed by the anonymous figure Missie Moustass last month which leaked secret recordings of conversations between high-profile figures, allegedly evidencing corruption and racism.
Tensions have risen across the island state since the release of the recordings because of concerns over the nature of the exchanges.
Mestry said: “Government officials have been recorded asking witnesses to lie or cover up anything from casual misdemeanours to murder.”
Mestry expressed concern over the social media ban for Mauritians ahead of the general election as it is frequently used as a tool for gatherings and meetings.
She said: “We rely on social media for news and communications.”
Some Mauritians are downloading VPNs and using them to maintain access to the internet.
But with talks of a temporary disabling of the internet, this loophole might soon close.
In a statement released today, Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth said: “Following the publication of certain audio tracks on social media, there is a real risk that the national security and integrity of our Republic and our international partners may have been compromised.”
Photo by Xavier Coiffic on Unsplash
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