[Chapter-delegates] FW: [Internet Policy] Internet restored in Cameroon

[Richard Hill]

Dear Chapter Delegates,

 

Here is some additional information and context on this issue, with many thanks to Nicolas.

 

Best,

Richard

 

From: InternetPolicy [mailto:internetpolicy-bounces at elists.isoc.org] On Behalf Of Nicolas Seidler
Sent: vendredi, 21. avril 2017 14:54
To: internetpolicy at elists.isoc.org
Subject: [Internet Policy] Internet restored in Cameroon

 

Hi,

 

As some of you may have heard already, after 94 days, the Internet has just been put back on for the more than 5 million people living in the anglophone regions of Cameroon. Here is the link <http://crtv.cm/fr/nouvelles/top-news-24/rgions-du-nord-ouest-et-du-sud-ouest-les-connexions-internet-sont-rtablies--19138.htm>  to the official communiqué by the Communications Minister (in French).

 

The government of Cameroon in January had ordered the disruption of the Internet in the Southwest and Northwest administrative regions of the country, where English-speaking residents protested again language discrimination related to French language administration and court rulings. 

 

Today’s positive news is a testament to the efforts and persistence by the local and global communities that have fought to bring the Internet back on in Cameroon and around the world. The Internet Society issued a public statement <https://www.internetsociety.org/lets-keep-internet-everyone>  back in February, and many ISOC members were instrumental in supporting the #BringBackOurInternet campaign that generated a lot of attention on the situation in Cameroon. 

 

Yet, we must remain vigilant. The letter lifting the shutdown stresses that the government reserves the right to use measures in the future to avoid for the Internet to disrupt public order. Also, beyond the human impact of this measure, economic losses due to the shutdown have been estimated at a minimum of USD 4.5 million. The impact on trust is particularly concerning in a region that is known as Cameroon’s “Silicon Mountain”, home to creative and leading tech entrepreneurs. 

 

With several Internet blackouts still in effect around the world, we must stay alert and continue the fight so shutdowns don’t become the new normal. But as of now, let us celebrate and rejoice for the people of Cameroon who are finally back online!

 

 

Nicolas Seidler

Senior Policy Advisor

Internet Society

seidler at isoc.org

 

 

 

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