The Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) organise the annual Internet Freedom Forum in Africa (FIFAfrica24) in Senegal in partnership with AfricTivistes. This first edition in Francophone Africa will highlight the state of digital democracy in this region, which faces numerous challenges.

From 25 to 27 September 2024, Dakar will host the largest gathering on digital rights on the continent, following previous editions held in Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Tanzania. Organised annually since 2014, FIFAfrica provides a framework for concerted efforts to advance digital rights in Africa and promote the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance.

The CIPESA-AfricTivistes partnership is part of FIFAfrica’s efforts to galvanise multi-stakeholder initiatives for shared strategies to advance online rights, participation, and innovation. “This partnership to organise a successful FIFAfrica is essential, as it will shed light on the state of participatory democracy in this region of Africa, which faces many challenges, and ultimately advance digital democracy,” asserts Cheikh Fall, President of AfricTivistes.

The FIFAfrica24 objectives are:

• Strengthening networking and collaboration
• Promoting access to information
• Developing practical skills and knowledge
• Showcasing advocacy efforts
• Connecting research to political discussions
• Strategic networking

Senegal as a Case Study

According to CIPESA, the choice of Senegal for this edition is not coincidental, as “Senegal stands out as a beacon in the defence of democracy and offers lessons not only for Francophone Africa but for the continent as a whole.”

In a context where several Francophone African countries face significant challenges regarding freedom of expression and access to the internet, CIPESA believes that organising FIFAfrica in Senegal will highlight the state of digital democracy in Francophone African countries, particularly the construction of a cyberspace that respects citizens’ rights and meets their needs. “Earlier this year, Senegal held transparent elections despite a tumultuous electoral journey.”

Considered a model of democracy at the heart of West Africa’s ongoing quest for stability, Senegal almost veered off course. “The journey to this historic election has been fraught with challenges. Notably, Senegalese youth united in their determination to secure a brighter future, propelled by a buildup of frustrations and unfulfilled expectations,” reads a contribution from Cheikh Fall, President of AfricTivistes, addressed to the new President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye.

Holding FIFAfrica24 in Francophone Africa will help shape the future of digital rights in Africa and the role that various actors must play in realising the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa and the 15th Declaration of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Challenges in Line with Progress

With the increase in connectivity, hate speech and online disinformation are proliferating and causing numerous victims on the continent. Added to this are the many other challenges that users may face daily. In recent years, Senegalese citizens have repeatedly fallen victim to internet restrictions. In February 2024, the internet was cut off following the postponement of the presidential election.

It is worth recalling that in June, July, and August 2023, access to the internet via mobile data and major platforms was heavily restricted on the grounds of “spreading hateful and subversive messages” and “calls for insurrection,” according to state authorities.

In response to these violations, AfricTivistes, an organisation committed to digital freedoms, has consistently denounced these repressive decisions, advocating for justice, by filing a complaint in January with the ECOWAS Court against the State of Senegal to denounce the abusive and untimely internet cuts.

The event targets policymakers, civil society organisations, technology experts, academics, and media members, inviting them to join us in Dakar, Senegal, in September for FIFAfrica24, either in person or remotely.

Register now here.