Access to major social media platforms has been restored in Guinea following a temporary blackout that sparked concerns over digital rights and freedom of expression.
The disruption, which affected platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, and TikTok, was first reported by the Association of Bloggers in Guinea on Thursday.
Authorities did not provide an official explanation for the restrictions, leaving users and civil society groups questioning the motive behind the sudden shutdown.
Guinea is currently under the leadership of Mamady Doumbouya, a former army general who came to power after a 2021 coup and was later elected in a controversial vote that excluded key opposition figures.
Although the country’s communications regulator had earlier warned against the spread of “verbal attacks” and unverified information, it did not directly link the advisory to the social media disruption.
Reacting to the restoration, ABLOGUI President Baro Conde described the development as a positive step for civil liberties, noting that citizens can once again freely access information and express themselves online.
However, he warned that similar restrictions could reoccur, particularly as Guinea approaches its legislative and municipal elections scheduled for May 31.
The incident has renewed concerns over the potential use of internet shutdowns as a tool for controlling information flow during politically sensitive periods.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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