African leaders urge responsible social media use to protect national stability

Leaders in Guinea and Burkina Faso are calling for increased responsibility regarding social media and artificial intelligence to maintain social cohesion and national peace.

In Guinea, Dr. Sékou Koureissy Condé, president of the National Autonomous Observatory for the Supervision of the Constitutional Referendum and Elections (ONASUR-E), emphasized that dialogue and mediation are essential for national reconciliation. He expressed concern over the growing influence of social media, noting that while these platforms serve as spaces for expression, they are increasingly used to spread rumors and political disinformation that can destabilize society.

In Burkina Faso, Louis-Modeste Wendingoudi Ouédraogo, president of the Higher Council for Communication (CSC), urged citizens to use digital tools responsibly. Speaking at a conference in Kaya, Ouédraogo warned that communication is a “double-edged sword” that can either foster development or incite social disorder. He stressed the importance of verifying content before sharing and noted that freedom of expression does not grant the right to defame, insult, or manipulate information to threaten national security.