This African Country Has Had a Yearlong Ban on Social Media. Here’s What’s Behind the Blackout

When 35-year-old doctor Didier Lalaye went back to his home country of Chad, it wasn't long before he became frustrated. He couldn't open the files on his computer, he couldn't communicate with his university back in the Dutch city of Utrecht, or even Skype friends or family. “It just makes life really difficult,” he tells TIME. “People have complained, but nothing has changed.

When 35-year-old doctor Didier Lalaye went back to his home country of Chad, it wasn't long before he became frustrated. He couldn't open the files on his computer, he couldn't communicate with his university back in the Dutch city of Utrecht, or even Skype friends or family. “It just makes life really difficult,” he tells TIME. “People have complained, but nothing has changed.