Parliament Opening:

CavayeYeguie wants social media banned

-Says social networks are not different from terrorist organizations that are only out to destabilize society.

By Rachel Ntube in Yaounde

Cavaye Yeguie

The President of the National Assembly has said that social networks are not different from terrorist sects like Boko Haram and ISS and may bring about the same kinds of sad consequences on the country like Boko Haram. CavayeYeguie was speaking at the solemn opening of the November session of the National Assembly on Thursday 10 November.

“How can we ignore the deplorable activities of this new category of insidious terrorists, who have inundated and crowded the cyberspace in Cameroon of late? I am talking here of the phenomenon of social media,” Cavaye remarked, noting that the social networks have become a veritable source of disinformation, intoxication and manipulation of public opinion.

Cavaye likened postings on social networks to missiles fired at unsuspecting populations. He called for vigilance of all because according to him just every person can be the target of misinformation by social networks.

                Cavaye urged the powers that be to devise mechanisms by which those using social networks to instrumentalize public opinion can be tracked down and punished. He said freedom of expression should have its limits otherwise it becomes ‘liberticidal’.

The outburst by the Assembly Speaker was however taken with mixed feelings by MPs. While some say Cavaye had a point others dismissed him as being anachronistic with the changing times.

                CPDM MP Gaston Komba for example said the world is evolving and Cameroon cannot afford to lag behind. He said we are in a free world where every body has a right to express his opinion.

                As for SDF MP Joshua Osih, CavayeYeguie should rather learn how to use the social media or he stays quiet. Hon. Osih says whenever some body does not understand something he considers that thing to be dangerous. He said the SDF was willing and ready to teach CPDM MPs the importance of social networks if they are willing to learn.

                “Social networks are instruments of development and for stabilization. Those who want to destabilize Cameroon are the people in power,” Joshua Osih opined.