Internet Shutdowns

We are monitoring what appears to be a shutdown of Internet connectivity in Chad after civil unrest. This page will be updated frequently while we assess the situation.

Media reports indicate there were attacks on the offices of the Chad intelligence service in the capital city of N’Djamena that caused several deaths. Reports indicate that the government is accusing the opposition party “Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF)”. Other reports indicate the PSF is accusing the government of involvement. There appears to be a significant amount of confusion about exactly what is happening in N’Djamena. The lack of Internet connectivity into the area has limited communication.

We have not yet identified specific documentation from the government of Chad ordering the shutdown. However, data measurement and multiple media reports are confirming that Internet connectivity has been degraded within the country of Chad. Unfortunately, the government of Chad has a history of shutting down Internet access within the country.

As noted in our country report for Chad, the country only has an Internet Resilience score of 24%, lower than the average across Africa of 35%. It also has poor diversity in terms of Internet service providers and transit providers. This lack of resilience in Internet infrastructure enables the government to easily shutdown services.