Senegal’s Minister of Communication Moussa Bocar, has announced that TikTok has been suspended because it is being used to propagate “hateful and subversive messages threatening the stability of the country.”
The well-known social networking app was referred to as the “preferred network for people with malicious intent” by the speaker.
The actions came a few days after fiery opposition politician Ousmane Sonko was detained and accused of a number of offenses, including inciting a riot.
During demonstrations protesting the politician’s incarceration in the city of Ziguinchor, where he serves as mayor, three people were slain.
Earlier this week, the minister issued an order temporarily shutting down mobile data, and telecom firms were instructed to follow it.