[governance] [bestbits] Please Cameroon did not shut down the Internet !!!

Chenai Chair cchair at researchictafrica.net
Fri Jan 27 04:43:06 EST 2017 

Janvier, thank you for your response on ISOC cameroon’s take on the situation. While you have placed everything in context,, i am of the opinion that purposefully cutting off certain sections from accessing the internet defeats the purpose of leaving no woman or man behind.

I have a quick question regarding the statement below
"The ISOC Chapter can only encourage the government and the other stakeholders to seek lasting peace solutions, even if it involves a temporary suspension of Internet and Western Union services.”

my question then is what is the extent of reliance on western union? Isn’t this hurting people who rely on this service to receive funds for their livelihoods?  have alternative measures been taken o ensure people are able to receive funding?

An interesting read would be the recommendations on internet shutdowns by the African school of internet governance class of 2016 read at the Africa IGF last year- http://afrisig.org/afrisig-2016/statement-on-an-intentional-internet-shutdown/ <http://afrisig.org/afrisig-2016/statement-on-an-intentional-internet-shutdown/>. I

Lets #keeption

Chenai Chair
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> On 27 Jan 2017, at 11:08, Joash Moitui <joash.moitui at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Thank you all.
> 
> This is a vital interesting topic. Having lived in Cameroon for 3 years, I would say that the shutdown in these two region is no different from shutdowns witnessed in Uganda and Gambia for instance. It is simply the political elite using their political influence to prevent the human rights violations calling for federation in these areas. The two areas made up of Anglophones, who have been marginalized largely because of their language and their calls for federation have been met by internet shutdown and full force of security agents. It is this that the Cameroon government does not want to be easily distributed within the social media. 
> 
> Joash
>> On 27 Jan 2017, at 10:56, Nonhlanhla Chanza <nonhlanhlachanza at gmail.com <mailto:nonhlanhlachanza at gmail.com>> wrote:
>> 
>> I still weep blood for those two regions. I have never been convinced by the argument that there might be circumstances that justifies a shutdown. So many places in turmoil and war in the world but people have access still to the Internet. 
>> 
>> On 26 Jan 2017 17:59, "Janvier NGNOULAYE" <jnoulaye at gmail.com <mailto:jnoulaye at gmail.com>> wrote:
>> Hi to all,
>> It seems to me that the problem of access to Internet in Cameroon is very much amplified here on the Net. There are 10 regions in Cameroon, the problem of access to the Internet is only concerning 2 Regions. These 2 regions actually has some political or social crisis. The government and other stakeholders in these 2 areas are looking for suitable solutions. Meanwhile, the government has seen fit to cut these two regions of Internet access and Western Union money transfer services, for the sake of the entire population of these 2 regions.
>> Internet works well everywhere else in the other 8 regions. I'm sending this mail from Yaounde in Cameroon.
>> So the situation is not a disaster as some seem to publish on the Net.  The ISOC Chapter can only encourage the government and the other stakeholders to seek lasting peace solutions, even if it involves a temporary suspension of Internet and Western Union services.
>> 
>> ISOC Cameroon Chapter
>> President
>> 
>> 2017-01-26 15:45 GMT+01:00 Renata Aquino Ribeiro <raquino at gmail.com <mailto:raquino at gmail.com>>:
>> Hi
>> 
>> Indeed, this is a terrible situation, which can happen in any country, which is why everyone should take action. 
>> I'd think bringing in ISOC and other organizations will help deepen these efforts.
>> 
>> On Thu, Jan 26, 2017 at 11:36 AM, Deji Bryce Olukotun <deji at accessnow.org <mailto:deji at accessnow.org>> wrote:
>> Thank you, Arsène for the introduction and the summary. 
>> 
>> Judith, as Arsène explained, the #KeepitOn coalition <http://accessnow.org/keepiton> (111 organizations from 51 countries) is pushing back against the shutdown. Our efforts are being led by Julie Owono from Internet Without Borders <http://internetwithoutborders.org/fr/regional-internet-blackout-in-cameroon/>.
>> 
>> At present, we are fighting the shutdown in several ways:
>> - open letter to government officials and agencies to restore access
>> - media outreach
>> - Tweet action at Cameroonian officials <https://act.accessnow.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1921&ea.campaign.id=62870&ea.tracking.id=tile> (please support!)
>> - outreach to telcos operating in the country, including a statement from the Global Network Initiative <http://globalnetworkinitiative.org/news/gni-concerned-about-restrictions-internet-access-cameroon> (Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Investors, academics)
>> - outreach to international officials at the UN and AU
>> - coordination with local groups in Cameroon
>> - coordinating with CDN's and other measurement entities
>> 
>> We welcome any ideas or suggestions about how to get the internet turned back on. With each passing day, people are at increased risk of human rights violations and the economy is losing money. We'll reach out to ISOC to coordinate as well.
>> 
>> Best,
>> Deji
>> 
>> On Thu, Jan 26, 2017 at 3:44 AM, Arsène Tungali <arsenebaguma at gmail.com <mailto:arsenebaguma at gmail.com>> wrote:
>> Hi Judith,
>> 
>> Thanks for sharing this with us. What's going on in Cameroon is just a shame. For colleagues who have never experienced Internet shutdown, please understand that it is a nightmare.
>> 
>> On this note about Cameroon, several organizations including Access Now and Internet Without Borders  <http://internetwithoutborders.org/fr/regional-internet-blackout-in-cameroon/>are doing a lot of advocacy and statements <https://act.accessnow.org/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1921&ea.campaign.id=62870&ea.tracking.id=Email&ea.url.id=836199>, letters have been sent to officials in Cameroon to ask them to bring back the Internet. A hashtag about this has been started and you can take action as well: #BringBackkOutInternet <https://twitter.com/hashtag/BringBackOurInternet?src=hash>. 
>> 
>> You can learn more about the #KeepItOn <https://twitter.com/hashtag/KeepItOn?src=hash> campaign here <https://www.accessnow.org/keepiton>.
>> 
>> Eduard Snowden sent in a tweet <https://twitter.com/Snowden/status/824312606596988933> where he said: "This is the future of repression. If we do not fight it there, it will happen here" and I cannot agree more with him because it is just going from one country to another. Over 8 countries in Africa, including mine the DRC, have experienced shutdown and no one knows who is next. Acces Now has reported  <https://www.accessnow.org/keepiton>15 Internet shutdowns across the world in 2015 and 56 in 2016
>> 
>> If there is any question about all the statements and campaigns, I am happy to help or convey your questions since I am involved, on a personal capacity, in these movements advocating and fighting Internet shutdowns across Africa. 
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Arsene
>> 
>> PS: Copied is Deji Olukotun who works on Advocacy for Access Now.
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------
>> *Arsène Tungali*
>> Co-Founder & Executive Director, Rudi international <http://www.rudiinternational.org/>,
>> CEO, Smart Services Sarl <http://www.smart-serv.info/>, Mabingwa Forum <http://www.mabingwa-forum.com/> 
>> Tel: +243 993810967 <tel:+243%20993%20810%20967>
>> GPG: 523644A0
>> Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo
>> 
>> 2015 Mandela Washington Felllow <http://tungali.blogspot.com/2015/06/selected-for-2015-mandela-washington.html> (YALI) - ISOC Ambassador (IGF Brazil <http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/igf-ambassadors-programme/Past-Ambassadors> & Mexico <http://www.internetsociety.org/what-we-do/education-and-leadership-programmes/next-generation-leaders/Current-Ambassadors>) - AFRISIG 2016 <http://afrisig.org/afrisig-2016/class-of-2016/> - Blogger <http://tungali.blogspot.com/> - ICANN Fellow (Los Angeles <https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2014-07-18-en> & Marrakech <https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/marrakech55-attendees-2016-03-14-en>). AFRINIC Fellow (Mauritius <http://www.afrinic.net/en/library/news/1907-afrinic-25-fellowship-winners>) - IGFSA Member <http://www.igfsa.org/> - The HuffingtonPost UK <http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/liza-bel/drc_b_8958150.html>
>> 2017-01-26 5:34 GMT+02:00 Judith Hellerstein <judith at jhellerstein.com <mailto:judith at jhellerstein.com>>:
>> HI All,
>> 
>> Just passing on a note from Mafor Edwan of ISOC Cameroon about the Cameroonian Government shut down of the Internet in his country.  
>> I am at a loss for words of yet another country that has cut off Internet Access for its citizens. Thanks to ISOC Cameroon for all their efforts to resolve this crisis, even though they have not been successful, I am glad that they have tried. I am a passionate believer in an open Internet. One that is available to all. By connecting the world, working with others, and advocating for equal access to the Internet, We can make the world a better place.
>> 
>> Edwan hopes people can share this word about this and hopefully some one can reach the President and tell him what a bad idea this is. I told him I would share it around. Hope others can do the same
>> 
>> Best,
>> Judith 
>> _________________________________________________________________________
>> Judith Hellerstein, Founder & CEO
>> Hellerstein & Associates
>> 3001 Veazey Terrace NW, Washington DC 20008
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>> Opening Telecom & Technology Opportunities Worldwide
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -------- Forwarded Message --------
>> Subject:	Re: [Chapter-delegates] FYI- Constance's blog post about the G20 - and the updated Internet Governance timeline
>> Date:	Wed, 25 Jan 2017 21:49:53 -0500
>> From:	Queen Mother <edwannfon at gmail.com> <mailto:edwannfon at gmail.com>
>> To:	Dan York <york at isoc.org> <mailto:york at isoc.org>
>> CC:	ISOC Chapter Delegates <chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org> <mailto:chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org>, Carl Gahnberg<gahnberg at isoc.org> <mailto:gahnberg at isoc.org>
>> 
>> Good evening Fellow ISOC Delegates,
>> 
>> I bring you sad news about the state of internet access in my home country Cameroon.
>> I have sobbed uncontrollably for weeks as the govt of my country tortures and mimes her citizens and recently has cut off the ability to send financial support to our families through western union and has now cut off the internet.
>> 
>> Please if you can read the articles below.
>> 
>> Cameroon Cuts Internet in English-speaking Regions <http://www.voanews.com/a/cameroon-cuts-internet-in-english-speaking-regions/3682688.html>
>> http://www.voanews.com/a/cameroon-cuts-internet-in-english-speaking-regions/3682688.html <http://www.voanews.com/a/cameroon-cuts-internet-in-english-speaking-regions/3682688.html>
>> 
>> How Cameroon pressured mobile operators to shut down the internet and stifle dissent <https://qz.com/893401/cameroon-pressured-mtn-and-other-operators-to-shut-down-internet-in-bamenda-buea-regions/>
>>   https://qz.com/893401/cameroon-pressured-mtn-and-other-operators-to-shut-down-internet-in-bamenda-buea-regions/ <https://qz.com/893401/cameroon-pressured-mtn-and-other-operators-to-shut-down-internet-in-bamenda-buea-regions/>
>> 
>> Thank you.
>> Mafor edwan
>> Vice President #2
>> ISOC Cameroon
>> 
>> 
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