Gambiaj.com – (CONAKRY, Guinea) – Access to the social media platform Facebook has been significantly disrupted across Guinea since the evening of Tuesday, April 14, according to widespread reports from users nationwide.
Many internet users have complained of unusually long loading times and, in some cases, a complete inability to access the platform. The disruptions appear to vary by location, but the impact has been broadly felt, prompting frustration among users who rely on Facebook for communication and information sharing.
In response, a growing number of users say they have turned to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the difficulties. “Without a VPN, Facebook does not work properly,” several disruptions have been reported, reflecting a common workaround being adopted across the country.
The disruptions come at a time of heightened tension on social media. Over the past 24 hours, comments widely described as insulting and attributed to Guinean artists Yama Sega and Maya circulated rapidly online, triggering strong reactions from the public. The posts, which quickly went viral, were later deleted from the artists’ official accounts.
Simultaneously, the Haute Autorité de la Communication (HAC) has stepped up warnings against the spread of offensive content and unverified information on digital platforms, signaling increased regulatory scrutiny of online discourse.
Authorities have yet to provide an official explanation for the disruptions, leaving uncertainty over whether the issue stems from technical failures, network congestion, or deliberate restrictions.
The situation coincides with a firm directive from Guinea’s Prosecutor General, Fallou Doumbouya, who has instructed prosecutors nationwide to initiate systematic legal proceedings against individuals involved in online abuse and misinformation.
The directive outlines a robust prosecutorial approach, including the swift and consistent prosecution of offenses such as public insults, defamation, dissemination of false information, and content deemed harmful to public order and human dignity.
It also calls for enhanced digital investigations to identify perpetrators, closer cooperation with telecommunications operators and digital platforms, and the use of international judicial mechanisms to pursue suspects located abroad.
Additionally, prosecutors have been urged to target not only primary offenders but also accomplices and secondary distributors of harmful content, including page administrators and those who amplify such material online.
As authorities intensify efforts to regulate digital spaces, the cause of the ongoing Facebook disruptions remains unclear, further fueling speculation among users already navigating an increasingly controlled online environment.
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