01/08/2025
๐ง Stigma-Free Friday
๐ This week, we talk about a different kind of silenceโthe one caused by internet shutdowns.
In 2017, the government shut down the internet in Cameroonโs Anglophone regions for 94 days. No warning. No explanation. Just silence. Students missed deadlines. Businesses collapsed. Families lost contact. ๐ Watch the documentary โ Blacked Out: The Shutdown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUVmiSL4rQU
Now, in 2025, as elections approach, digital rights are under threat again. Civil society groups like Access Now and Paradigm Initiative are calling for open internet access, protection of online expression, and transparency from telecom providers and government actors.
Because when the internet goes dark, so does democracy.
At IEHA, we believe that access to information is a human rightโespecially in times of crisis. We stand with every journalist, activist, and citizen who refuses to be silenced.
๐ Drop a comment if you believe the internet should never be used as a weapon. ๐ฒ Share this post to keep the lights on. ๐ก Learn more at iehafrica.org
