Port Louis, 05 November, 2024 / 8:16 pm (ACI Africa).
Religious leaders in the Indian Ocean Island nation of Mauritius have expressed concern about the government’s recent decision to restrict access to social media platforms, days before the country’s general elections scheduled for November 10.
On November 1, Mauritius' communications regulator ordered all Internet service providers to suspend the service until November 11, a day after the upcoming general elections, Reuters reported.
In a statement issued on November 3, members of the Council of Religions (CoR) in Mauritius express their solidarity with individuals “whose livelihoods depend on social media”, saying the Internet shutdown could have serious repercussions on their daily lives.
“It is with deep sadness that the members of the Council of Religions take note of what is currently happening in our country. We are also deeply moved by the distress of those whose livelihoods depend on social media. We cannot remain silent,” they say.
The religious leaders add, “We are confronted with conflicting opinions regarding the need to limit freedom of expression. We feel as if we are navigating in a fog.”
