Guinea Lifts Social Media Blackout After 2-Day Shutdown

Guineans woke up Friday to find their social media feeds alive again after authorities quietly ended a nationwide shutdown of major platforms.

Access to Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, and TikTok returned without official explanation, according to ABLOGUI, Guinea's association of bloggers. The blackout had started Wednesday and lasted just under 48 hours.

Baro Conde, president of ABLOGUI, celebrated the news. He told reporters he welcomed "the restoration of social media access" and noted that citizens could "once again enjoy their freedoms of information and expression."

The shutdown came after Guinea's communications regulator HAC issued warnings Tuesday about "verbal attacks, unverified information and messages harmful to social cohesion." Authorities never officially acknowledged blocking the platforms or explained their return.

Guinea has experienced political turbulence since President Mamady Doumbouya came to power through a 2021 coup. He won election last December in a contested vote that excluded major opposition candidates.

The Bright Side

The quick restoration shows the growing power of civil society groups to spotlight internet restrictions. When ABLOGUI announced the shutdown Thursday, international attention quickly focused on Guinea's digital rights situation.

The government's decision to restore access without drawn-out negotiations suggests accountability mechanisms are working. Bloggers and digital rights advocates made their voices heard, and authorities responded.

Conde did sound one note of caution about upcoming legislative and municipal elections scheduled for May 31. Guinea "has developed a habit of restricting social media access during election periods," he warned, calling for vigilance as the country heads to the polls.

For now, though, Guineans are back online and reconnected with the world.