(JollofNews) – Contrary to rumours, authorities in the Gambia have not blocked the popular WhatsApp Messenger, which enables people in the West African country to exchange messages with their friends and family without having to pay for SMS.
On Wednesday, some Gambian activists reported that the messenger which enables users to send encrypted messages, documents, images, video, user location and audio messages to other users using standard cellular mobile numbers was blocked by the regime of President Yahya Jammeh ahead of December’s presidential election.
Others alleged that the messenger was blocked in response to an audio message being circulated to users in the Gambia and abroad warning of an impending armed attack on the presidential palace in Banjul by a group of unnamed insurgents.
But a senior staffer at the country’s Ministry of Information and Communication Infrastructure has described the allegation as complete fiction.
The staffer who spoke to JollofNews on WhatsApp Messenger said: “We are not aware of any government directive (s) for WhatsApp or any app to blocked in the Gambia. This is simply untrue, a mere figment of imagination and another attempt to smear the image of the Gambia.”
Since last thursday/friday no WhatsApp in the Gambia. All contacts show “last seen thursday”. Most likely they block all traffic from and to WhatsApp servers on the national firewall
Then why do I have the message” last seen on the 19th of August when opening Whtasapp to talk to Gambian friends? My Gambian friend says that Whatsapp is still blocked. Since last Friday i cant use it anymore towards Gambia from Europe. And today on the 24th of August it is not working yet.
So clearly there is something wrong in Gambia.
I have the same problems. I am trying to talk to my lady in Gambia from England where I work.
I have my husband in The Gambia and the last message was seen 4th September. Right now I’m using another messenger service to get through in Gambia
I too have been unable to use WhatsApp since 21st Aug to talk to my Gambian friends. Switched to Viber and that went down too on 26th Aug. So there is definitely a big problem. Hope it is soon sorted.
Hi,do you know if the problem with whatsapp in gambia is yet? Not working yet?
The Gambia government is definitely blocking whatsapp. My wife can only use it when activating VPN which cost a lot of credit. Shame on this goverment!!!