"These internet shutdowns had no other objective than to silence the protests, and the Court of Justice considered that these shutdowns were contrary to freedom of expression, and therefore Togolese authorities must in the future take all necessary measures, in particular legislative and regulatory measures, to ensure that this type of situation does not happen again, and above all that freedom of expression is guaranteed," says Marceau Sivieude, assistant regional director for West Africa and Central Africa at Amnesty International.

He hopes that the Court of Justice's decision will now set a precedent in the region: "It is a strong message that has probably also been sent to other regional authorities who very often use this repressive weapon of internet shutdowns, particularly during elections or when the opposition and civil society organize protests, and once again to silence all dissent."

Not notified

Contacted by RFI, Togo's Minister of Human Rights, Christian Trimua, refuses for now to comment. He says he has not been notified of the decision of the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).