Residents of Equatorial Guinea’s Annobón island have been without internet access for nearly a year following a government-imposed blackout in response to complaints about environmental damage caused by a Moroccan construction company.
The island’s residents wrote to the government in Malabo in July last year, expressing their concerns about the dynamite explosions and construction activities of the Moroccan firm. These activities have been polluting their farmlands and water supply, leading to significant environmental and health issues. Instead of addressing the residents’ grievances, the government swiftly cut off internet access and imprisoned dozens of the signatories and residents. This repressive action has led to numerous hardships for the island’s inhabitants.
Many residents have left the island in recent months due to fear for their lives and the challenges of living without internet. Services such as banking and emergency hospital care have effectively shut down, making daily life increasingly difficult. Residents also report accumulating phone bills they cannot afford, as cell phone calls are their only means of communication.
The Moroccan construction company’s operations continue on the island, despite the ongoing protests and the government’s response. Residents initially hoped their complaint would pressure authorities to improve the situation, but the government’s use of an internet blackout to suppress dissent highlights a broader trend of repressive tactics in Africa. The president’s deployment of this tactic underscores the corporatist political stance of the administration, prioritizing economic interests over the welfare of its citizens.
This situation has had a significant financial impact on the island’s residents, affecting their livelihoods and access to essential services. The government’s heavy-handed approach has drawn criticism from rights groups and local residents, who argue that it is a violation of basic human rights and an example of how political power can be used to suppress dissent and protect corporate interests.