Chad: Social media outage April 6

Event

People in Chad have been unable to access various social media networks (Facebook, Viber, Whatsapp) over the past few days (as of April 6) without any explanation from the authorities or communication companies. The NGO Internet Without Border has called the current situation a violation of the right to free expression and communication. While none have been announced as of yet, protests with the potential to turn violent may occur to denounce the current communication blackout.

Context

Public access to social media networks has been cut at various instances in the recent past, for example during the presidential election held on April 10, 2016, and during periods of high sociopolitical tensions. 

Advice

Individuals present in Chad are advised to avoid all potential protests due to the possibility of violence.

On a separate note, due to the high terrorist threat, those in the country are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities and to remain vigilant at all times, especially when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted in an attack (public transportation, train stations, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). For these and other security reasons, many Western governments advise against all travel to areas near the borders with Niger, Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria, and the Lake Chad region, as well as nonessential travel to the rest of the country, including N'Djamena.