Central African Republic has banned text messages across the country following a violent protest in its capital, Bangui, last week.
The ban was announced on Tuesday after a series of protests which resulted in violence were organised via SMS, in the hope of getting these protests under control.
According to Reuters, the ministry of telecommunications issued the following statement: “On the instruction of the prime minister… in order to contribute to the restoration of security in the country, the use of SMS by all mobile phone subscribers is suspended,”
Soon after CAR citizens who attempted to send a text received a ‘SMS not allowed’ message.
The protests come in the midst of religious violence which has been rife amongst Christian militants and Muslim rebel groups. A recent attack on a church, by Seleka rebels sparked the latest protests and a general strike was also being organised via text which eventually led to the ban. The president has urged the people ‘to return to work’.
Last year Muslim Seleka rebels took power of the largely Christian country. Despite their leader’s resignation, violence between various groups has been impossible to curb.
It is unknown when the ban will be lifted though some sources state that it may ‘last a few days’.
