(Ecofin Agency) - In a communiqué, the organisation Reporters without Borders denounced the suspension of Internet access and SMS services in the Republic of Congo since 20^th October 2015, from 6 a.m. The suspension of these services came as a prelude to the organisation on this very day of a big demonstrations by those opposing the constitutional referendum scheduled for 25^th October 2015. A referendum which would enable President Denis Sassou-Nguesso to seek an additional term in 2016.

In the 241-articles long reform bill, separated in 21 sections, revealed on 19 October 2015, the age restriction to take part in a presidential race is one of the main points. It was previously set at 70 years. The limitation to 2 of the number of presidential terms remains, but the duration of the term moves from seven years to five years. The current president, aged 72, could thus stay in power for another decade.

As in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the suspension of Internet and SMS services seems to be aimed at preventing the population from coordinating street protests. Rallies which resulted on 20^th October 2015 in deadly clashes with the security forces in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. According to Radio France International, which signal has also been suspended, the Minister of Communication, Thierry Moungalla (photo) explained the SMS interruption by the saturation of the telephone networks. Cléa Kahn-Sriber, the new manager of the Africa desk at RWB, declared that “it is difficult to believe that these shutdowns are random”.