Central and southern Somalia go offline after ruling militants shut mobile Internet services

Those living in central and southern areas of war-torn Somalia have reportedly been cut off from the Internet after the ruling militant group ordered telecom operators to shut down their Internet services earlier this month.

CIO East Africa reports that residents in those areas, which are controlled by the Al Shabaab group, have been “missing signals,” while militia are said to have been seen checking on Internet signals in the regions.

Less than one percent of the country has fixed-line Internet access so mobile Internet is an important and growing point of access. Global Voices suggests the shutdown is in response to a fear that the government can use the Internet to track the activities of Al Shabaab insurgents.

➤ Al Shabaab shuts out central and southern Somalia from internet [CIO East Africa]

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