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According to a report by AFP, SMS is now considered a security threat in the Central Republic of Africa, and has consequently been banned.

In a formal letter to local telcos, the country’s telecommunications ministry has ordered the suspension of SMS by all mobile phone subscribers, effective from the 2nd of June 2014. Mobile subscribers who try to send SMSes get the error message, “SMS not allowed”.

The decision to ban SMS was made by the Prime Minister Andre Nzapayeke on the grounds that SMS fuelled the recent resurgence of violence and impending strike, crippling activities in the country’s capital, Bangul. Nzapayeke has made an appeal to citizens in Bangui to get back to work. Apparently, the ban is only temporary.

Muyiwa Matuluko Author

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