With no prior notice, Cameroon' two main English-speaking regions at the northwest and southwest, have their internet connection completely shut down. Affecting 23 percent of all Cameroonians, millions of people in the region are left without the internet.
The shutdown came when an increasing number of protests happened in the two regions were held against the state . Dubbed the "Silicon Mountain," the area is a home to many technology startups. The protests were accusing the government for economic marginalization, issues with water, health care, and roads.
The shut down happened roughly about two hours after the government outlawed the activities of the Southern Cameroons National Council and the Cameroon Anglophone Civil Society Consortium. The leaders of the two Anglophone pressure groups (Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor and Dr. Fontem A. Neba) have been arrested.
In Cameroon, the internet has been largely used as a tool for mobilization in the wake of mass protests. Activists have been using social media networks and messaging apps to mobilize protests around the country.
Many people believes that the government's attempt to limit internet was because of this.
Not just the commercial web, the shut down is also impacting customers of banks. Finance institution and money transfer agencies which are using the internet, have confirmed that the internet shut down happens in Bamenda, Buea, Kumba, Limbe and Kumbo.
The authorities were able to shut down the connection much easier due to the country's fiber optic backbone is operated by Cameroon Telecommunications (CAMTEL), a state-owned corporation. Mobile providers and other ISPs in the country are all subscribers to CAMTEL.
The instructions to shutdown the Cameroon's internet came from The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications. It is said that the minister has instructed various ISPs and mobile providers to implement the suspend for some time.
The hashtag #BringBackOurInternet campaign was started by people in Cameroon coming from regions unaffected by the shutdown. They even dub the government's action as a "digital apartheid" against its own people.
Cameroon in shutting down its internet is marking another African government that tampers with the internet. At least 11 countries in Africa have interfered with internet connection during elections and protests.