Paradigm Initiative Criticizes Liberia’s Internet Shut Down

Nigerian digital rights advocate, Paradigm Initiative has condemned the Liberian government for disabling social media platforms in the country. The shutdown was triggered by the protest carried out by Liberians due to poor governance from president George Weah’s administration.

Confirmed: #Liberia has blocked Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat to suppress #Monrovia protests; network data collected w. @cipesaug provide conclusive evidence of blocking by mobile ISP Orange #KeepItOn #SaveTheState 📉https://t.co/wlvTPHjK3Z pic.twitter.com/6PDpwwxOSU

— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) June 7, 2019

@GeorgeWeahOff @CNNAfrica @BBCAfrica @VOANews @ReutersAfrica We are here at the peaceful #savethestate protest in Liberia. The economy is bad. The US to LD rate has climbed from 118LD to 190 LD in less than two years. Prices have skyrocketed on all essential goods.#Liberia pic.twitter.com/CU8hBbXU5j

— Taa Wongbe (@twongbe) June 7, 2019

The total shutdown of the internet or the partial disruptions targeting social media networks in #Liberia affects not only the citizens but also the economy in general. Internet shutdowns also erode investor confidence and affects foreign direct investment. pic.twitter.com/yIhdwk1Ng5

— Moses Zangar, Jr. (@mzangar) June 9, 2019

Liberians stormed Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, on the 7th of June 2019 to protest over the poor governance from their government. The protest was tagged ‘Save The State’.

The George Weah led administration promised to tackle corruption, improve the education sector, health, and infrastructure. However, a few months into office, his administration reportedly admitted that about $104 million freshly-minted currency disappeared in a shipping container at the Monrovia port.

The government debunked the accusations after an uproar by Liberians. However, another $25 million was allegedly withdrawn from the country’s reserve. This and amongst other things triggered the protest. Liberians requested for the return of the missing funds and a war crimes court that will institute laws against those responsible for Liberia’s civil war.

In a bid to manage the situation, the Liberian Government shut down all social media outlets in the country. According to NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization, the platforms affected were Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. The shutdown further affected mobile internet provider, Orange Liberia, and internet service provider, Lonestar.

Paradigm initiative condemned the Liberian government’s actions, stating that it’s against the freedom of expression of citizens and residents of Liberia. They urged the Liberian government to consider the cultural, educative and economic value and relevance of the Internet.

The statement also accused the Liberian government of abusing its citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, the right to learn, their right to access the internet and other freedoms and liberties connected to the use of the internet. It finally called on the government to restore internet access of the Liberian citizens.