Internet Blackout in Benin Due to Cut SAT-3

In the wee hours of the morning, a ship dropped anchor and cut Benin’s undersea connection to the world. White collar workers in Cotonou and business men flipped, but the vast majority of the country (99% and counting) won’t notice any difference in their daily lives. Maybe bank transactions will be a bit tougher, but that’s par for the course here anyway.

And of course, there’s no way to be sure that the problem is the undersea cable. Or that it was an anchor. Friends of ours who work for Benin Telecoms have whispered it, others have refused to confirm anything at all. There is no official word (and may not be). Repair estimates for whatever has happened vary from 2 days to 2 weeks.

I’m updating from one of Cotonou’s very rare, very expensive, public satellite connections. The line to use the computers runs out the door.  Every computer is taken, and most have two or three people hovering over its operator. I am the only woman.

At least it’s air conditioned, right?