Seismic Activity Causes Internet Cable Ruptures Off Ivory Coast Coast

ABIDJAN – On March 14, seismic events in the Gulf of Guinea triggered the rupture of four significant internet cables, affecting connectivity across multiple West African nations. The disruption, announced by the Nigerian telecommunications company MainOne, underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to natural phenomena.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the damage occurred at a depth of 3 kilometers offshore of the Ivory Coast, prompting a coordinated international response. South Africa has dispatched a specialized vessel to undertake the intricate repair operations, with expectations set for a multi-week restoration period. The affected cables, namely the West Africa Cable System, MainOne, South Atlantic 3, and ACE, play a crucial role in the digital connectivity of countries like Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, and South Africa. In response to the emergency, telecommunication operators are rerouting data to maintain service continuity amidst reduced internet traffic capacity.