Senegal's government stated on Sunday that access to mobile internet services had been interrupted in specific locations due to violent rioting in which "hateful and subversive" remarks have been disseminated online.

Three days of violent protests in West Africa have killed 16 people, making it one of the worst periods of political unrest in decades.

PHOTO | COURTESY Senegal shuts down internet amid chaos

The government restricted access to several messaging services last week, but many users avoided the outage using virtual private networks hiding the user's location. According to the statement, the outage was extended on Sunday to encompass all data on mobile internet devices in certain places and at specific times.

Human rights groups argue the measure breaches free expression. It may wreak havoc on already shaky economies.

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Amnesty International said in a statement issued on Friday that These restrictions constitute arbitrary measures contrary to international law and cannot be justified by security imperatives," 

According to the interior ministry, nine people were killed in confrontations across Senegal on Friday after a court sentenced fiery opposition leader Ousmane Sonko to two years in prison.

A conviction for "corrupting youth" might prevent Sonko, President Macky Sall's biggest opponent, from competing in the presidential election next year.

PHOTO | COURTESY Sonko

The issue has deeply divided Senegal, sparking intermittent but lethal unrest that has undermined the country's image of stability.

Following the verdict on Thursday, police and demonstrators clashed, buses were set ablaze in Dakar, and disruptions were reported elsewhere, including Ziguinchor, where Sonko has been mayor since 2022.

Sonko has maintained his innocence and claims that the president seeks to damage his political career by manipulating the judiciary, an allegation that the administration denies.

Ndeye Khady Ndiaye, the beauty salon proprietor, was sentenced to two years in prison for promoting debauchery but was acquitted of involvement in the rape.

She and Sonko must pay a fine of 600,000 CFA francs ($980), and the plaintiff must pay damages of 20 million CFA francs ($33,000).