Author: Tiffany Bright

The High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication (HAAC) in Benin has announced the suspension of the platforms “Reporter Médias Monde,” “Crystal News,” “Les Pharaons,” and the TikTok account “Madame Actu.” These media outlets are accused of airing unauthorized content containing unfounded allegations, in violation of the Press Code of Ethics and current legal regulations.

The authorities have ordered the responsible parties to adhere to the applicable laws. The decision is effective immediately.

In Guinea-Bissau, political tensions are rising as the country approaches the end of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló’s mandate in February 2025. The opposition insists that Embaló’s presidential term ends on February 27, while the president himself has stated that he plans to hold elections in November.

Domingos Simões Pereira, the leader of the opposition coalition PAI-TERRA Ranka and former president of the National Assembly, has warned that the country will enter a period of illegality starting on February 27. According to Pereira, from that date, Guinea-Bissau will be without any legitimate state institutions to guide its governance. He has highlighted the political crises of the past year, including the invasion and kidnapping of members of the Supreme Court and the National Assembly, the expiration of the National Election Commission’s mandate in 2022, and the overall breakdown of democratic institutions.

Pereira expressed deep concern about the country’s future, emphasizing that the lack of functioning sovereign institutions would leave the nation in a critical and legally ungovernable state. He stressed the urgency of finding a negotiated solution through a dialogue involving all political and social actors. Pereira called on President Embaló to engage in an “inclusive dialogue” with the country’s political leaders, as the country faces what he described as a risk of entering a period of crisis after February 27.

In a video posted on January 18, Pereira reminded the president that there were only 41 days left until the end of his term, urging for dialogue to avoid further instability.

Source: Radio France Internationale (RFI)