Starlink license suspended by Senegal Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Senegal has ordered the suspension of Starlink’s operating license. This decision was made as a provisional measure through summary proceedings while the court awaits a full review of an appeal regarding an alleged abuse of power in the granting of the authorization.

The suspension comes months after the SpaceX subsidiary officially launched its satellite internet services in Senegal in February 2026. The service was part of a government initiative to bridge the digital divide, with plans for the state to acquire 5,000 kits at preferential rates to provide free internet access to approximately one million citizens.

The arrival of the operator had previously faced scrutiny. The Sonatel workers' union had raised concerns regarding digital sovereignty and called for greater transparency concerning the agreement between the Senegalese government and the satellite provider.