In a new sign of the growing censorship in Equatorial Guinea, the regime of Theodore Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, has issued an order to sanction Starlink, the satellite Internet service of SpaceX, owned by the American magnate Elon Musk. As reported by Diario Rombe, ministerial order 1/2024, published on August 2, which bears the signature of the Minister of Transport, Post Office and New Information Technologies, Honorato Evita Oma, prohibits the unauthorized use of satellite Internet services and equipment in the country.
Avoid Oma has requested Starlink to immediately suspend access to satellite Internet service for all kits located in the national territory. This measure arises in the midst of the government's remodeling and appears to be aimed at cutting off any form of communication not controlled by the regime.
The crisis in Annobón
The island of Annobón is going through a serious political and social crisis. Peaceful demonstrations on the island, motivated by the poor quality of life, discrimination and abuses committed by the regime's military, have been severely repressed. Teodorín Nguema Obiang Mangue, Equatoguinean vice president, has accused the protesters without any type of legal process of attacking state security, ordering the arrest of more than thirty-three Annobonese people on charges of rebellion and sedition.
To control the situation, Obiang He has instructed his cousin, Oscar Ondo Ngomo Nchama, general director for life of the Autonomous Telecommunications Infrastructure Management Entity of Equatorial Guinea (GITGE), to block the internet signal in Annobón. This blockade aims to prevent communication between the Annobonese and their leaders abroad.
Using Starlink in Annobón
The initiative is based on the suspicion that the inhabitants of Annobón could be using the Starlink satellite internet service to contact the outside world. To counter this, Avoid Oma has asked Nigerian distributor TD Africa to suspend access to all Starlink kits in Equatorial Guinea.
Equatorial Guinea's ban on unauthorized use of Starlink reflects continued clan tyranny Obiang and his son. The restrictions on Starlink also highlight the regime's fear of losing control over communications. Freedom of expression, essential for democracy and the rule of law, continues to be seriously violated in Equatorial Guinea.
The crisis in Annobón and the drastic measures against Starlink are indicative of a regime that seeks to suppress any form of dissent and maintain tight control over communications. The international community must pay attention to these human rights violations and apply pressure to guarantee freedom of expression and access to uncensored information in Equatorial Guinea.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, with the aim of bringing internet to rural and hard-to-reach areas. The system works through an antenna that receives satellite signals and transmits them to a WiFi router. This service has been adopted by people with high purchasing power in Equatorial Guinea, including members of the president's family, due to its ability to offer an uncensored connection.
Hey people!!!!!
Good mood and good luck to everyone!!!!!