An internet shutdown in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has entered its second month, cutting off mobile networks and online services in Fizi Territory and the city of Baraka and deepening concerns over access to information in a region already gripped by conflict.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said on August 17 that connectivity remained disrupted more than six weeks after the shutdown began on July 3. Authorities have not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the prolonged blackout, although local reports have linked the measure to escalating security concerns.
The disruption has affected more than social media and web browsing. Phone calls, SMS services, mobile money and other digital communications have also been affected, disrupting businesses, families, humanitarian operations and journalists working in the conflict-affected region.
CPJ also reported that soldiers seized Starlink equipment belonging to several community radio stations and other organisations that attempted to restore connectivity. According to one journalist cited by the organisation, the military said the equipment would not be returned until the war was over.
The loss of connectivity has also disrupted local journalism. Some radio stations have suspended news bulletins because they can no longer receive or relay information from other media organisations.
The shutdown comes as fighting intensifies around the Minembwe highlands, including Kalingi, Mikenge and Point Zéro, involving government forces and Twirwaneho rebels allied with the M23/AFC.
That security context gives authorities a clear justification for concern over communications during military operations. But it also highlights the risks of a prolonged blackout.
In a conflict zone, reliable communication is essential for journalists trying to verify competing claims, humanitarian organisations coordinating assistance and families seeking information about relatives. When established channels disappear, unverified information and rumours can spread into the resulting vacuum.
CPJ has warned that security concerns should not become a pretext for preventing people from accessing information or journalists from reporting.
A growing pattern
The latest blackout is not the DRC’s first use of connectivity restrictions during the eastern conflict.
When M23 forces advanced on Goma in January 2025, authorities disrupted internet access as the rebels took control of the city. Connectivity in Goma was reportedly interrupted for more than a week. Authorities also restricted platforms including X and TikTok in several major cities in February, saying the measures were intended to combat misinformation surrounding the conflict.
The latest shutdown stands out because of its geographic focus and duration, leaving Fizi and Baraka disconnected for weeks.
The trend also extends beyond the DRC.
Uganda imposed an internet shutdown around its January 2026 elections, while the Republic of Congo experienced a two-day internet disruption beginning on March 15, election day. Gabon has faced prolonged restrictions on social-media access during periods of unrest, while election-related connectivity disruptions were also reported in countries including Tanzania and Cameroon in 2025.
For governments, internet restrictions can offer a rapid way to control the flow of information during periods of political instability or armed conflict. For citizens, however, the same measures can sever access to essential services, communication and independent reporting.
In eastern DRC, where insecurity already limits access to reliable information, keeping communities offline for more than a month risks making the conflict harder to monitor precisely when independent information is most needed.
The episode underscores a growing digital-rights question across Africa: how far should governments be allowed to restrict connectivity in the name of security, and who safeguards the public’s right to communicate when the internet is switched off?
