Mozambique Elections: ‘Social media restrictions to be lifted when ‘conditions’ are met – deputy minister

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Mozambique Elections: ‘Social media restrictions to be lifted when ‘conditions’ are met – deputy minister

11:31 CAT | 04 Nov 2024

Amilton-Alissone-vice-ministro-dos-Transportes-e-Comunicacoes

Photo: O País

Mozambique’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Amilton Alissone says that normal operation of internet services will only be resumed when the necessary conditions are brought about, without giving precise details about such “conditions”.

For days now, using applications such as Whatsapp, Facebook and YouTube has not been easy, with users unable to access them.

No-one – neither the Tecom regulators, the National Communications Institute (INCM) nor the mobile phone operators – has been able to satisfactorily explain the situation, so O País decided to put the question to the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC).

“I don’t know. I don’t have the exact data, but I know that, based on the use that has been made of these applications, some decisions have been made, but I think the regulator must have already issued some information,” said Amilton Alissone, Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications.

The regulator (INCM) did issue a statement, but only to say that it had been monitoring, with concern, the use of telecommunications networks for the publication of videos and messages promoting and encouraging violent demonstrations and other acts of disobedience and social destabilisation, urging the correct and responsible use of these services.

“Perhaps it has to do with (the demonstrations), but above all, taking into account what is considered fraudulent traffic on the [social media] network,” Alissone adds.

However, doubt remains. How long will the situation prevail?

“I think there are conditions that must be met for the situation to return to normal,” the deputy minister said, without further explanation.

Alissone was also asked about LAM’s suspension from IATA, to which he replied: “I have no information, since there is a CEO there who has been managing the company”.

This is the second time this year that LAM has been suspended from IATA. The first time was in July and now, since October 17th, it has been in this situation because it has not paid its membership fees to the entity.

Source: O País