Network data from the NetBlocks internet observatory confirm that internet has been cut across much of Somalia with high impact to Mogadishu from 10:30 a.m. local time (7:30 a.m. UTC) on Sunday 26 July 2020. Connectivity was largely restored on Monday afternoon, with a recorded incident duration of 31 hours.
⚠️Confirmed: Internet shutdown across much of #Somalia as parliament votes to remove Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire over lack of democratic elections; real-time metrics show connectivity below ~30% of ordinary levels with high impact to #Mogadishu
? https://t.co/Dqtp0RXkSB pic.twitter.com/QiV145Ib7D
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) July 26, 2020
On Saturday, Somalia’s parliament removed prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire from his post in a vote of no confidence. 170 of 178 MPs backed the motion against Khaire citing a dispute over the scheduling of elections.
Real-time metrics showed national connectivity levels at just 30% of ordinary levels, with most impact recorded in capital city Mogadishu. Journalists noted that the cuts limited news coverage of political reactions to Saturday’s events.
Update: Real-time network data confirm Internet has returned to parts of #Mogadishu / #Somalia impacted by this weekend’s disruption; we evaluate a number of explanations and assess technical factors in our report; incident duration ~30 hours
? https://t.co/Dqtp0RXkSB pic.twitter.com/GTCz8m5I4I
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) July 27, 2020
As the incident continued through Sunday, the European Union and United States Embassy issued statements condemning the forced resignation as a setback for Somalia’s constitutional foundations.
@US2Somalia is concerned over irregularities in today’s no-confidence vote. It is a setback for reforms #Somalia has pursued. Only path forward to timely, peaceful, implementable federal elections is consultation & constructive dialogue. (1/2) –> Read Full Statement
— U.S. Embassy Mogadishu, Somalia (@US2SOMALIA) July 25, 2020
Recent developments in #Somalia entail a serious disrespect for the constitutional foundations and represent a setback for the country and the confidence of the European Union in the progress of Somalia. #AUEU https://t.co/uw0tC7iNd5
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) July 26, 2020
The incident has nation-scale, non-total impact with indications of an intentional blackout affecting cellular and fixed-line networks. The disruption has not been conclusively attributed to any international technical outage or cyber-attack.
Source: Network data from the NetBlocks
