US to Designate Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organisation

The United States Department of State has announced plans to designate the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, a move aimed at targeting armed actors accused of fuelling Sudan’s ongoing civil conflict. The designation will take full effect on March 16, 2026, according to a press statement released on Monday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Rubio said the group had already been placed on the Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list and will soon be added to the Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) list. “Today, the Department of State is designating the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and intends to designate the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, effective March 16, 2026,” Rubio stated.

The designation targets both the political and armed wings of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, including the al‑Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, which was previously sanctioned under Executive Order 14098 in September 2025 for its involvement in Sudan’s brutal civil war. U.S. officials allege that the group has conducted mass executions, kidnappings, and other acts of violence against civilians while promoting a violent Islamist ideology.

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The U.S. also accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of providing training, funding, and support to the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood’s armed elements. Rubio described the IRGC as “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism” and warned that the United States will use all available tools to cut off resources and support networks for both Iran and extremist organisations linked to the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood.

Under the designation, Americans are prohibited from providing material support to the group, and U.S. financial institutions are required to freeze assets linked to the organisation. International partners who knowingly support the group may also face U.S. sanctions. The action is taken under Section 219 of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224, which empower the U.S. government to sanction individuals and organisations involved in terrorism.

The announcement comes amid Sudan’s protracted civil war, which has displaced millions and triggered widespread humanitarian crises since April 2023. Analysts say the designation could restrict the group’s ability to operate internationally and cut off critical funding channels, while also signaling a tougher U.S. stance on terrorism in Africa and the Middle East.

Regional observers note that the move may complicate peace negotiations, as armed factions might resist dialogue once formally labelled terrorists. However, U.S. officials argue that the designation is critical to limiting the influence of armed Islamist networks, cutting off resources for violence, and protecting civilians in conflict zones.

The decision has received support from some international partners, including the United Arab Emirates, who emphasised that the measure will help deprive the terrorist organisation of resources and strengthen regional security and stability.

As Sudan’s civil war continues, the U.S. designation of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood represents a significant step in international counter-terrorism efforts, highlighting the linkages between local insurgencies and global extremist networks.

US to Designate Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organisation

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