Internet disruptions worrying during elections – AU

Internet and network disruptions are a cause for concern during elections.

Ourveena Topsy-Sonoo, the African Union (AU) Commission’s special rapporteur on freedom of expression and access to information, said this in Windhoek yesterday.

She said the commission has observed that this worrying pattern is increasing.

Topsy-Sonoo was speaking at a workshop to support election bodies and election observer missions to fulfil their obligations under the AU framework of freedom of expression and access to information.

“Furthermore, a growing trend which has been observed is internet and network disruption or shutdowns, particularly during electoral periods, which have the effect of curtailing or even completely restricting access to crucial information, and also impede the ability of candidates to communicate with the electorate,” she said.

Topsy-Sonoo said these disruptions violate the right to freedom of expression and access to information.

This is contrary to article 9 of the African Charter, she said.

The internet has in recent months been slow and has faced many disruptions.

Namibia Media Trust director Zoe Titus yesterday said there is a lack of communication about network-related issues.

“I’ve asked technical people, and they say there’s nothing wrong with the West Africa Cable System, but somebody has just not been forthcoming and honest and transparent,” she said.

Titus said if a technical challenge exists, the regulator and the parastatals must be forthcoming and transparent by informing the public.

She said other governments have shut down particular social media sites.

“For example, have WhatsApp or Facebook Meta shut down . . . Alternatively, they’ve just slowed things down so dramatically that it’s bothersome for people to use it,” Titus said.

Despite this, she does not think this would happen in Namibia.

“I don’t think we are at risk of that kind of attack on communications and freedom of expression,” she said.

Meanwhile, Open Society Foundations spokesperson Jeggan Gray-Johnson has raised concerns over African young people being disinterested in exercising their democratic duties – despite being the majority.

“Equally alarming is the fact that there is a younger generation that are consistently and systematically shunning away from participating in the electoral process. And this is worrying,” he said.

He cited the results of a recent Afrobarometer survey.

“In South Africa . . . 72% said that if a non-elected person could cut crime, boost housing and jobs, they would be willing to go for [vote in] elections,” Gray-Johnson said.

He addressed bodies, including the Electoral Commission of Namibia, at a two-day workshop on supporting election management bodies, which was hosted by the Centre for Human Rights, the University of Pretoria and NamTshuwe Digital, yesterday.

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia was not reachable for comment yesterday to provide insight on recent network disruptions.