Lawmaker Jailed for Mocking President in Facebook Post

A Tunisian court has sentenced Ahmed Saidani, a sitting lawmaker, to eight months in prison for mocking President Kais Saied in a Facebook post linked to the president’s response to recent flood disasters in Tunisia.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday, deepening concerns over free speech, political repression, and shrinking civic space in the North African country.

Mr Saidani was arrested earlier this month after posting a sarcastic message reacting to Kais Saied’s visit to flood-hit communities. In the post, the lawmaker mocked the president’s public appearances, suggesting Saied had assumed the role of both national leader and sanitation official.

“It seems that the new title will be the Supreme Commander of sanitation and rainwater drainage,” Saidani wrote, adding that his comment was “not a mockery” of the president, but a reflection on governance priorities.

Prosecutors charged the lawmaker under Tunisia’s telecommunications law, which criminalises online insults and criticism made through digital platforms. The law allows for prison sentences of up to two years.

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Legal sources said the court found the post insulting to the head of state and ruled that it exceeded the bounds of protected political expression.

Political and Legal Context

The sentencing has sparked outrage among opposition figures, activists, and rights organisations, who argue that the case highlights an ongoing crackdown on dissent in Tunisia.

Mr Saidani was once a supporter of President Saied but later became a vocal critic, accusing the administration of centralising power, sidelining institutions, and suppressing opposing voices.

Since 2021, Tunisia has undergone sweeping political changes following President Saied’s decision to dissolve parliament and rule largely by decree. Critics say these moves have weakened democratic checks and emboldened the use of laws to silence critics, including lawmakers, journalists, and civil society actors.

Human rights advocates warn that the increasing use of criminal prosecutions for social media posts threatens political debate and accountability, particularly at a time when the country faces economic hardship, infrastructure failures, and climate-related disasters.

The government, however, maintains that all prosecutions are conducted within the law and insists that no one is above legal accountability.

Lawmaker Jailed for Mocking President in Facebook Post

Gabon Suspends Social Media Over False Information, Cyber Threats

The government of Gabon has ordered a nationwide suspension of social media platforms “until further notice,” citing the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and unauthorised sharing of personal data as threats to national security, social cohesion, and public order.

The announcement was made by the High Authority for Communication (HAC) in a televised address. HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome explained that the measure aims to curb the circulation of “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content”, which authorities believe have been fueling unrest and deepening social divisions.

While HAC did not specify which platforms would be immediately affected, widely used applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram are expected to be included in the restrictions. By Wednesday, several users reported that Facebook and TikTok were already inaccessible, indicating the government may begin enforcement imminently.

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The suspension comes amid a sensitive political and social period in Gabon. The country has been undergoing a transition since the 2023 military coup led by President Brice Oligui Nguema, who later won the 2024 presidential election with over 90% of the vote, ending more than five decades of Bongo family rule. Since taking office, Nguema promised reforms and a break from past practices, including allowing independent media to observe election processes — a departure from the use of internet blackouts by previous administrations.

Despite these reforms, the government faces growing social and economic pressures. Teachers launched strikes in December 2025 over unpaid salaries and worsening working conditions, and unrest has since spread to healthcare workers, civil servants, and other public-sector employees. These protests have heightened concerns over public order and digital misinformation, prompting the government’s move to restrict social media access.

Civil society groups and analysts have raised concerns about the impact of the suspension on freedom of expression, economic activity, and digital communication, noting that approximately 850,000 Gabonese actively rely on social media for business, news, and personal communication. The government, however, insists the action is a temporary security measure to prevent further destabilisation.

Observers say Gabon’s decision reflects a broader challenge across Africa, where governments attempt to balance cybersecurity, misinformation control, and digital freedoms. The coming days will test both the government’s resolve and the resilience of the country’s digital economy.

Gabon Suspends Social Media Over False Information, Cyber Threats

Ghana Moves to Extradite Russian Man Over Secret Sex Video Scandal

The Government of Ghana has announced plans to seek the extradition of a Russian man accused of secretly recording sexual encounters with several women and sharing the footage online without consent, describing the alleged acts as serious violations of cybersecurity, privacy, and women’s rights.

African and Russian media identified the suspect as a self-styled “pick-up artist” and online blogger in his 30s who travelled to Ghana and allegedly filmed intimate encounters without the knowledge of the women involved. Some reports claim he used sunglasses fitted with a hidden camera to record the encounters and later circulated the videos on social media platforms. Ghanaian authorities, however, said investigations are ongoing and have not officially confirmed the recording method.

Speaking to journalists, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, said he had invited the Russian ambassador in Accra for discussions, stressing that the alleged actions violate Ghana’s cyber-security laws and would not be taken lightly.

He said preliminary findings by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection suggest the suspect has likely left Ghana, but emphasised that his departure does not reduce the seriousness of the alleged conduct or the government’s obligation to ensure accountability.

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According to the minister, Ghana will activate international cooperation mechanisms, including Interpol, to trace the suspect and seek the cooperation of Russia.

“We will activate every resource at our disposal, working with Interpol and Russian law enforcement. We want the gentleman brought back to Ghana to face the rigours of our law,” George said, adding that the government would still formally request extradition despite Russia’s long-standing policy of rarely extraditing its citizens.

He noted that Ghana may consider trying the suspect in absentia if he refuses to return to face prosecution.

Local media reports also indicate that the same individual may have been involved in similar illegal recordings in Kenya, raising concerns about multiple victims across different countries and the possibility of a broader pattern of abuse.

Under Ghana’s Cybersecurity Act, 2020, the non-consensual recording or distribution of intimate images or videos is a serious criminal offence, carrying penalties of up to 25 years in prison. Authorities say the law was enacted to address rising cases of online sexual abuse, revenge pornography, and digital exploitation, particularly targeting women and children.

Ghana has intensified enforcement of these laws in recent years. In 2022, a court sentenced Solomon Doga, a 22-year-old phone repairer, to 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to sharing nude images without consent in a sexual extortion case.

Officials say the current case underscores Ghana’s determination to protect digital privacy, public trust, and the dignity of women, as investigations into the Russian suspect continue.

Ghana Moves to Extradite Russian Man Over Secret Sex Video Scandal