Starlink Is Allegedly Being Pushed Into African Countries
Elon Musk’s Starlink has gradually expanded its presence in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) being the latest African country to grant the company permission to operate. The Gambia, a country with an underdeveloped broadband infrastructure, would be an ideal region for Starlink to run in.
So, when the US government arrived in The Gambia, it framed Starlink’s entry as part of the broader Digital Transformation for Africa (DTA) initiative, a White House-led effort to improve internet access across Africa.
However, critics, including Lamin Jabbi of Gambia’s communications ministry, allege that they were being pressured to fast-track Starlink’s approval, according to Pro Publica.
Starlink being pushed in The Gambia
Sharon Cromer, the US ambassador, traveled to the Gambia to persuade the Gambian government to permit Starlink to operate in the country. Head of Gambia’s communications ministry, Lamin Jabbi, who oversees the government’s review of Starlink’s license application, was slow in approving the application.
During the meeting, Cromer began to list the ways that the US was supporting the country. Jabbi’s top deputy, Hassan Jallow, took Cromer’s message as a warning: If Starlink doesn’t get its license, the US might cut funds to the country.
In recent months, senior State Department officials in both Washington and Gambia have coordinated with Starlink executives to intimidate at least seven Gambian government ministers to assist Musk, according to records and interviews. Starlink is currently not operating in The Gambia.
Starlink expanding in Africa
Starlink has received the green light to begin operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following a previous ban, making it the latest African country to grant a license to Starlink.
Somalia and Lesotho granted Starlink the license to operate in April, bringing the total number of countries on the continent with active or planned Starlink service to 21.
Image: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
