Africa internet suppressors get US red light

Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria President

The importance of communication, especially telecommunications, and especially the constantly growing power of the internet, cannot just be overemphasized.

In a world where traditional media outfits slant the news to suit their own purposes, the internet, with its limitless number of information providers, is what gives the masses the news the way it really is.

Whilst people with honest intentions see the internet as a worthy ally, many people without integrity, especially African politicians whose main agenda is to loot Africa, have found it an adversary they want to clamp down on for exposing them and their nefarious ways.

And in light of such clampdowns that have already taken place, and probably because Nigeria which can be said to be Africa’s most important country is also now taking obnoxious steps to restrict internet usage, an American lawmaker, Karen Bass, who’s the Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, has introduced a resolution that calls on African governments to protect and promote human rights through internet freedom and digital integration for all African citizens.

“Blocking or restricting access to the internet violates freedom of speech, limits economic opportunities and suppresses political participation,” she declared. “Increasingly, many African governments describe content on the internet as ‘fake news’ and as the basis for blocking information during disasters, terrorist attacks and social unrest.

“African governments also harass and detain journalists, whistleblowers, bloggers and other media workers trying to do their job in disseminating information to citizens. Oftentimes internet access is restricted during political elections, protests and demonstrations. These are the very moments when access to information, journalistic freedom and political participation are most critical for the democratic process and rule of law. We must condemn the use of the internet as a repressive tool against any society and I urge governments to work with civil society organizations and media outlets to ensure a robust culture where all citizens can access information freely.”

The resolution condemned the restriction or disruption of the internet through any and all forms including full internet shutdowns, kill switches, bandwidth throttling, high taxes and the blocking of applications and services. 

It also warned against incorporating technologies from countries that use cyberattacks for surveillance and censorship, violation of privacy and spying on competitors.