By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following complaints regarding dynamite explosions from a Moroccan construction company, residents of Equatorial Guinea’s Annobón island have faced an internet shutdown and subsequent repression. This resulted in the imprisonment of signatories, the collapse of essential services, and the exacerbation of existing marginalization. Despite denials from the company, Somagec, the government has continued the internet outage, impacting the island’s population of approximately 5,000 people. The move marks a significant escalation of repression by the government, which has a history of silencing criticism.
Read the original article here
Equatorial Guinea enforces yearlong internet outage for island that protested construction company, a reality that sounds like something ripped straight from a dystopian novel, but alas, is very real. It’s a chilling testament to the power of authoritarian regimes and their willingness to use every tool at their disposal to silence dissent. The situation unfolded on Annobón island, a small speck of land in Equatorial Guinea, where residents dared to voice their concerns about the activities of a Moroccan construction company. They wrote to the government, raising objections about the dynamite explosions and, in doing so, triggered a response that would crush their freedom of expression.
The consequence of this act of peaceful protest was swift and brutal. Internet access, the lifeline of communication in the modern world, was severed, effectively isolating the island from the outside world. But the punishment didn’t stop there. Several residents, along with dozens of the signatories of the petition, were imprisoned. This underscores the ruthless nature of the regime, which seems intent on crushing any form of opposition. It’s hard not to feel a sense of outrage and disbelief, that in the 21st century, such blatant suppression of freedom can occur. It’s the kind of thing that makes you stop and think about what other atrocities are being perpetrated out of sight.
Imagine, for a moment, the implications of having your internet access cut off for merely petitioning your government. It’s a fundamental right to freedom of expression that is being violated, a right that many of us take for granted. It also speaks volumes about the lengths to which the authorities will go to control information and maintain their grip on power. The parallels to historical examples of oppression are impossible to ignore, making this a dangerous precedent.
The situation also brings up questions about the role of international actors. The United States, for instance, has a complex relationship with Equatorial Guinea, due to the country’s vast oil reserves. It’s a tricky balancing act, as the US State Department recently considered granting a one-month sanctions waiver to Equatorial Guinea’s vice president, potentially motivated by a desire to counter Chinese influence and support American oil and gas interests. This raises difficult questions about the prioritization of geopolitical and economic interests over human rights. This is also something that’s being done to countries that harbor WMD’s or oil.
The potential impact of technological control is another facet of this story. The ability to censor and monitor communications is a powerful weapon in the hands of a repressive regime. The case of Annobón island highlights how easily access to the internet can be weaponized. It can be used to silence opposition and enforce a chilling atmosphere of self-censorship, where people are afraid to speak out for fear of retribution. The question of internet access becomes one of power, and the regime’s decision to shut off Annobón island is a clear demonstration of that power.
The fear is that this suppression of internet access is just a precursor to more egregious actions. The ability to cut off communication could make it easier to conduct other, worse actions with nobody finding out. This is a clear illustration of a trend that’s been accelerating. The focus on control over social media is a logical next step, and there are ongoing attempts in the US and elsewhere to regulate and potentially restrict access to the internet.
It’s a sobering reminder that freedom of expression, and access to information are essential components of a free society. They are rights that must be fiercely defended. When these rights are threatened, as they are in Equatorial Guinea, the entire world should take notice and stand in solidarity with those who are fighting for their voices to be heard.