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IGF 2019 WS #407
Social Media and Political Transition in The Gambia

    Organizer 1: Demba Kandeh, University of The Gambia
    Organizer 2: Sukai B. Cham, Give1 Project Gambia
    Organizer 3: Amadou SOWE, Gambia National Youth Council

    Speaker 1: Amadou SOWE, Government, Intergovernmental Organization
    Speaker 2: Lamin Sanneh, Government, African Group
    Speaker 3: ALIEU SOWE, Civil Society, African Group

    Moderator

    ALIEU SOWE, Civil Society, African Group

    Online Moderator

    David Jeng, Technical Community, African Group

    Rapporteur

    Bafoday Sarjo, Private Sector, African Group

    Format

    Break-out Group Discussions - Flexible Seating - 90 Min

    Policy Question(s)

    How Social Media is strengthening Democracy in The Gambia

    SDGs

    GOAL 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    GOAL 17: Partnerships for the Goals

    Description: We will have speakers from various stakeholders groups in The Gambia to have an open discussions with contributions from the participants.

    Expected Outcomes: Sharing and learning best practice with the audience
    Rally international support to promote press and internet freedom in The Gambia and countries in democratic transition

    It will be an open discussion where participants will have the chance to share best practices.

    Relevance to Theme: Social Media and Democratic Process in The Gambia

    Relevance to Internet Governance: The Gambia is going through a transition process after 22 years of dictatorship. There is currently a new constitution being written. Social Media was a deciding factor in uprooting a dictatorship in The Gambia. The new government promised reforms but time and time again high profile officials make proclaimations calling social media as a threat to national security. There is less conversation from the authorities that is assuring about internet freedom in the new constitution . The New government came into power with a promise to stay in power only for 3 years and now the narratives towards that has dractivally changed. People are actually going to court for internet related crimes that the laws of the land do not cater for.

    Online Participation

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