In today’s digital world, the internet plays a vital role in organizing, mobilizing, and expressing dissent. However, authoritarian regimes often resort to internet shutdowns and censorship to suppress dissenting voices. To combat this, Africans Rising recently organized a virtual training session on April 10, 2025, to equip its members with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital challenges and overcome internet shutdown issues.
The training, moderated by Ancel Langwa, Africans Rising’s Movement Building and Support Lead, and facilitated by Maurice Samba, Africans Rising’s Lead IT Officer, covered crucial topics such as:
- Understanding internet shutdowns and censorship
- Identifying triggers and patterns behind shutdowns in Africa
- Measuring and documenting shutdowns using Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI)
- The impact of shutdowns on organising, activism, and civic participation
- Strategies and tools to stay connected and raise awareness during shutdowns, including the use of VPNs
Participants engaged in interactive quizzes and a Q&A session, where they asked questions on topics such as:
- The legality of using VPNs during internet shutdowns
- Accessing blocked websites and apps during shutdowns
- Understanding IP addresses and domain names
- Recommended VPNs for secure browsing
The facilitator provided satisfactory answers and offered to share the presentation with participants for future reference.
This training is a testament to Africans Rising’s commitment to empowering its members and promoting digital resilience in the face of authoritarianism. By equipping activists with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital challenges, we can ensure that our voices are heard and our movements continue to thrive.
Key Takeaways:
- Internet shutdowns are a real threat to civic space and activism
- Understanding the triggers and patterns behind shutdowns is crucial to developing effective strategies
- Tools like VPNs and OONI can help activists stay connected and document shutdowns
- Digital resilience is key to promoting activism and civic participation in the face of authoritarianism.
By staying informed and equipped, we can overcome digital challenges and continue to push for positive change in our communities.
