This report is by Jonathan Pedneault in Human Rights Watch (HRW):

This was meant to be Niger’s first peaceful and democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960. But contested results and disruptions to internet access now threaten this process.

Local media sources in Niger and members of the internet measurement community reported that restrictions to mobile internet networks were imposed Wednesday in parts of the country, including the capital, Niamey, a day after violent protests erupted after the ruling-party candidate, Mohamed Bazoum, was declared the winner of the presidential poll by the national independent electoral commission (CENI).

The second round of the election pitted Bazoum, a former interior minister, against ex-President Mahamane Ousmane. On Tuesday, the CENI announced provisional results, giving Bazoum a lead with 55.75 percent of the votes. Ousmane then alleged electoral fraud and yesterday claimed he had won the election with 50.3 percent.

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