The Central African Republic (CAR) has blocked text messaging, ostensibly as part of an attempt to restore security after a year of violence.
The government announced the ban on Tuesday, hoping it will slow down a recent series of violent demonstrations in Bangui, the country's capital. Protesters called for a general strike via mass text messaging this week, as reported by the AFP.
"In order to contribute to the restoration of security in the country, the use of any SMS by all mobile phone subscribers is suspended from Monday June 2, 2014, until further notice," the telecommunications ministry reportedly wrote in a letter to the country's four cellphone operators.
When cellphone users in CAR try to send a text message, they get a message back that says "SMS not allowed," according to several reports.
Violence started last year when the muslim Seleka rebels seized power of the country, which is majority Christian, and put Michel Djotodia in power. Djotodia was forced to resign in January, leaving the country's government in the hands of French and African interim peacekeepers, but the violence has continued.
The AFP reported that the ban will last "for several days," quoting an anonymous CAR government source.