Internet Shutdowns

Data and media reports indicate that mobile Internet has been suspended in Mozambique for a fourth time in as many days and the fifth time in the past two weeks amidst protests after the presidential election results were announced. Like the last times, fixed Internet continues to be available.

There are also reports of service blocking, including VPNs, since Thursday, 31 October, although limited data confirms this. Residents are encouraged to run OONI probe tests to measure whether popular Internet services can be connected via local networks.

[Update 7 November]

Local sources have told Internet Society Pulse that the Internet shutdown is ongoing to stop people from sharing live images from protests and curfews. Given that mobile Internet is the most popular means for Mozambique users to access the Internet (see below), the shutdown has only been imposed on mobile broadband, aside from fixed broadband offered by the incumbent Internet service provider, Telecomunicacoes de Mocambique. Sources suggest that the shutdowns will finish by Friday, 8 November.

[Update 7 November]

Mobile Internet services returned to normal on Thursday, 7 November, around 4:45 UTC.

They’re holding us hostage in our own country. They’ve shut down the internet AGAIN violating our right to freedom of speech and to have access to the internet, mind you, said internet was PAID with our own money.#Mozambique #freemozambique #Endpolicebrutality #notmypresident

— Yolly♥♀ (@Bookaholictiruh) November 3, 2024

THEY HAVE CUT OUR INTERNET FULLY ONCE MORE! not limiting access to social media, not slowing down the internet but fully shutdown! #Mozambique #RiggedElections #FreeMozambique #DemocracyNow #EndPoliceBrutality #HumanRightsMatter

— A🧚🏽‍♀️ (@liliimone) November 3, 2024

Mozambique internet providers, you were warned, last week, not to cut the internet. You did not need this warning and now you’re paying the price.This is the second tower that’s gone up in flames. https://t.co/EYvXDvIVwM

— MightyAmazon Fella (@beans200) November 4, 2024

“Some schools were resorting to online classes to minimise the losses caused by the stoppage of activities due to the demonstrations contesting the election results. But the Internet shutdown is preventing some schools, particularly private ones, from continuing to teach. Companies now find distance working impossible, and online financial operations are also becoming very difficult.” — All Africa

No official cause documentation has been made public.