DAKAR: A cyberattack claimed by the unidentified hacking group took down several government-run websites for a second day Saturday in Senegal amid political tensions 9 months before the presidential elections.
An unidentified hacking group claimed on social media that it had targeted the websites of the Presidency, Health Ministry, and Defense Ministry. The group claimed to have damaged the site of Air Senegal. According to AFP, most affected websites were restored by mid-afternoon on Saturday, but access to several remained irregular.
Global Internet Monitor NetBlocks said that the cyberattack started at midnight on Friday and had damaged “dozens of officials’ websites, online services and networks”.
The Hacking group identified itself as “The @MysteriousTeamO account” and claimed the cyberattack was in “solidarity” with the citizens of Senegal and their right to freely elect their next president.
However, government spokesperson Abdou Karim Fofana confirmed the attack. He added that the relevant officials said they were working to restore the websites “as soon as possible. The cyberattack comes amid a tense political atmosphere in the African nation.
The opposition party has denounced a growing crackdown by the current government of President Macky Sall. Uncertainty over whether or not he will run for a contentious 3rd term, as well as the rape trial of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, have fueled unrest in the relatively stable country.
Ousmane Sonko has declined to appear in court, saying the government is plotting to keep him out of elections. Sonko on Friday began a high-risk return to the country’s capital Dakar, also intending to draw out supporters along the way with a “caravan of freedom”.
Local press reported clashes took place between Sonko’s supporters and security personnel on Friday.
Sonko’s party claimed on Saturday that one man was killed in the clashes, blaming the authorities. However, AFP reported that it was unable to confirm that the man was killed in the clashes.
