(Ecofin Agency) - In 2016, Chad spent 235 days without internet or social networks. The situation was reversed last December 2, after restrictions imposed since February 27, 2016, were lifted.

Borderless Internet conducted a study on the losses generated as a result of the situation. “These 235 days without social networks in Chad cost its economy €18 million, that is nearly CFA18 billion,” the Ngo’s report.

For the organization, Chad’s people were deprived of their freedom of expression for 10 months. In an opened letter to President Idriss Deby Itno, many organizations from the nation’s civic society asked for communication and freedom of expression to be returned.

They were backed by UN which through its special reporter for freedom of speech and its reporter for association liberty asked on November 7, 2016, for an explanation from the Chad government. The government had 60 days to answer. Some believe it is all the pressure that pushed the government to re-enable Internet and social networks in Chad.