(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
OAN’s James Meyers
1:57 PM – Monday, August 21, 2023
The Somalian government ordered a ban on the social platforms TikTok and Telegram on Sunday, claiming that they have been utilized for terrorist propaganda.
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SOMALIA bans TikTok, 1xBET and Telegram. Will Kenya follow suit and join the ranks of failed states like Somalia in banning TikTok? And who will defend TikTok from political-aggression when they’ve literally banned/censored all political commentators, only leaving dancers and… pic.twitter.com/Bgw07QAJb6
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) August 21, 2023
The announcement came out on Sunday from the country’s communications minister, claiming the platforms spread extremist content such as nude images and material offensive to Somalia’s culture.
The ban also includes an online-betting site called “1xBet.”
This is the first official attempt by the African nation’s government to ban any social media platform, with the ban reportedly going into effect on August 24th.
The ban comes after members of the insurgent group, al Shabaab, are known for posting their activities on TikTok and Telegram.
However, since August 2022, the Somali army has been fighting the Shabaab with help from Africa union troops and American military air strikes.
Additionally, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced a military offensive against al Shabaab in an attempt to put an end to the terrorist organization within the next five months.
According to the ministry, banning the social media applications will “speed up the war against the terrorists who have spilled the blood of the people of Somalia.”
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