Civil society warns against internet shutdowns ahead of Gambia’s 2026 polls

By Dawda Baldeh

Civil society groups, journalists, and election monitors have urged the Gambian government and telecom operators to guarantee open internet access during the country’s December 2026 elections, warning that restrictions could undermine credibility.

The call was made in the Banjul Communiqué, adopted on May 12 at the Digital Rights and Elections in Africa Monitor (DREAM) engagement.

“You cannot have a credible election without an open internet,” the communiqué stated.

The groups asked authorities to reject shutdowns, throttling, or blocking of social media, arguing that blackouts fuel panic, conceal abuses, and erode trust. They also condemned the “weaponization” of cybercrime laws against citizens, journalists, and observers.

The communiqué urged the Independent Electoral Commission and the Data Protection Authority to ensure transparency in election technology and protect biometric voter data under the 2025 Data Protection Act. It called for combating disinformation through rapid disclosure of verified information rather than censorship.

Telecom operators were reminded of their duty under UN human rights principles to resist unlawful restrictions and remain transparent about disruptions.

Signatories, including Muhammed Bello Buhari of Paradigm Initiative and Alieu Sowe of Give1 Gambia, pledged to monitor the digital environment using the DREAM Toolkit and Ripoti platform to expose attempts to manipulate the vote.