As authoritarian regimes refine digital repression tactics—from drone surveillance to total blackouts—civil society’s survival depends on adaptation. Iran’s recent protests offered a masterclass in digital resistance: activists smuggled Starlink terminals, bypassed GPS jamming, and maintained connectivity despite a total warfare approach by the state.

Meanwhile, West Africa faces its own crisis. Counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria’s North-West and North-East have normalized prolonged shutdowns, while military juntas in the Sahel threaten total information blackouts.

This session bridges the gap between the Middle East and West Africa. We will explore if the "smuggling and satellite" model of resistance is replicable in West Africa. Crucially, we will interrogate the "Digital Oligarch" dilemma: As we turn to private actors like Elon Musk for salvation from state censorship, are we simply trading government tyranny for corporate caprice?

Join us to discuss how to redefine digital security not just as privacy, but as the fundamental right to access connectivity in conflict zones.