President Macky Sall's government restricted cellular data in Dakar to prevent "threats and disturbances to public order" as a result of protests over election postponements.

Senegal has joined a list of countries that have restricted internet access in response to popular unrest.

President Macky Sall's government restricted cellular data in Dakar to prevent "threats and disturbances to public order" as a result of protests over election postponements.

NetBlocks, which monitors cyber security and governance, issued an update on Tuesday evening, verifying that internet access was still restricted.

It said: “Traffic data show mobile internet access remains limited in Senegal for a second day after authorities restrict cellular data in capital Dakar and deploy riot police to counter ongoing protests over the postponement of this month's elections to the end of 2024.”

Security experts expect protests to continue across Senegal, notably in Dakar, after the National Assembly agreed on Monday to postpone the presidential election from February 25 to December 15.

The voting went place after security personnel forcibly removed several opposition MPs who attempted to disrupt the voting procedure.

Police used tear gas to disperse the protests.

As the protests continue, one expert stated that "officials could implement further telecommunications disruptions to prevent protesters from organising."

Several government officials have appealed for a postponement of the election, citing suspected alleged malpractice within the Constitutional Council, after several hopefuls were prevented from running to succeed Sall.