Introduction:
The consolidation of digital peace, the Sahel States challenged!
Although social networks are considered to be the magic of our time, thanks to the enormous advantages they bring, notably effective communication, rapid access to information, closer ties, remote working and management, they are also a threat to peace in the Sahel, due to the irresponsible misuse made of them by certain Internet users known as “Videoman” in Mali in the popular jargon of professional Web activists.
The urgency of cleaning up social networks
In recent years, social networks have become an excellent place for spreading disinformation, hate speech and other toxic content tending to distract Internet users and disturb social order.
Mindful of the situation, the countries of the West African community have deemed it necessary to implement a legal instrument to regulate abuses on social networks to mitigate the harmful consequences that they impact on the Social Order, called the Cybercrime Act. A very rigid law which is explained by the urgency of putting an end to practices whose consequences will be very costly in the absence of an immediate, rigorous and dissuasive response to digital and societal peace.
Other alternatives to repressive measures must be explored
Some organizations, aware that the problem cannot be resolved through repression alone, are doing their best by raising awareness and training populations on the dangers of toxic content and hate speech on social cohesion, verification, and the reliability of information to promote responsible use of social networks.
Relevant remarks reveal a need to extend the programs of these organizations, particularly by taking into account “videomen” from the diaspora because they are the main authors of the dissemination of toxic content and fake news on social networks because they escape Malian justice given their geographical positions.
Conclusion
Faced with this digital tragedy, the Sahelian States must take full responsibility by adopting a posture of anticipation through vast awareness and training campaigns, but also through education in the useful and responsible use of social networks, in complementarity with the measures repeats already established.
