Summary:
- The intersection of technology, politics and governance is reshaping the nature of political engagement both globally and in Africa.
- Internet shutdowns have been employed with increasing frequency by African governments in the face of political threats and protest.
- Draconian legislative measures have also been used in countries such as Tanzania to close the political space for expression and suppress dissent.
- The impact of such actions extends beyond the political domain and has far reaching societal consequences.
- A co-ordinated, multi-stakeholder approach is needed to stifle these anti-democratic trends, which threaten to adversely affect citizen engagement, political participation and the quality of governance on the continent if left unchecked.
