Annobón Island Cut Off from Internet After Residents Protest Dynamite Explosions

African Island Demanding Government Action Punished with Year-Long Internet Outage Equatorial Guinea's Annobón island has been cut off from the internet for over a year after residents complained about dynamite explosions by a Moroccan construction company, sparking widespread criticism of the government's response. According to multiple sources, including residents and rights groups, dozens of signatories and residents were imprisoned for nearly a year following their complaint in July last year. The island's internet access has been shut down since then, causing significant disruptions to daily life. Timeline of Events July 2022: Residents of Annobón island write to the government in Malabo complaining about dynamite explosions by a Moroccan construction company. August 2022: Dozens of signatories and residents are imprisoned for nearly a year. Present day: Internet access on the island has been cut off for over a year. Immediate Impact The lack of internet access has caused significant disruptions to daily life, including: Banking services have shut down Hospital services for emergencies have been brought to a halt Residents are racking up phone bills they can't afford due to limited communication options Background Context The construction company's activities on the island have been accused of polluting farmlands and water supplies. The residents' complaint aimed to pressure authorities to improve the situation, but instead, the government responded with a year-long internet outage. What Happens Next It remains unclear when or if the internet access will be restored. The government has not commented on the situation, fueling speculation about its motivations. As the island's residents continue to suffer from the lack of connectivity, international attention is growing, with human rights groups calling for an end to the internet blackout and accountability for those responsible. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Yro reporting.*