Africa
Somalia Bans TikTok, Telegram Over ‘Terrorist’ Propaganda
Shebab militants were expelled from Mogadishu in 2011, they maintain a strong presence in expansive rural regions.
The Somali government, on Sunday, issued an order to ban TikTok, Telegram, and an online betting site, stating that these platforms were being utilized by ‘terrorists’ for the dissemination of propaganda.
The decision comes ahead of the second phase of a military offensive against the radical Islamist Shebab in Somalia, who have waged a violent insurgency against the central government in Mogadishu for over 15 years.
In a statement by the Ministry of Communication and Technology said that it had directed internet providers to cease access to the three platforms by 24 August. The statement further warned that if compliance was not met, unspecified legal actions would be pursued.
According to the statement from the ministry, TikTok, Telegram, and the 1XBET site are allegedly employed by ‘terrorist’ entities and ‘groups promoting immorality’ to distribute ‘violent imagery and videos and mislead public opinion.”
The prohibition of these platforms is anticipated to ‘accelerate the battle’ against the ‘terrorists’ responsible for the loss of lives among the Somali population.”
Since August 2022, the Somali military has been actively involved in an offensive against the Shebab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group. This operation includes collaboration with local clan militias, as well as the backing of African Union forces and air support from American airstrikes.
Although Shebab militants were expelled from Mogadishu in 2011, they maintain a strong presence in expansive rural regions. Operating from these areas, they persist in launching assaults on both security installations and civilian sites.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud has made a commitment to eliminate Islamist militias from the country and could shortly announce the second phase of the military offensive against the Shebab in the south of the country.