Burkina Faso internet shutdown curtails information, draws criticism

According to a news report, Burkina Faso is experiencing an interruption to internet and mobile phone communication services since Saturday 20 November 2020. The situation according to the report has caused widespread communication blackout leaving many people frustrated in the country. The government has issued a statement after several hours of shutdown, citing national defence and public security as the basis for the shutdown which is expected to last some 96 hours. Meanwhile, the report notes that the internet shutdown, which has been heavily criticized by citizens and activists, occurred on the same day a group of protestors blocked a French military convoy attempting to travel through the city of Kaya to Niger.