antónio aly silva
a lone voice
Controversial and provocative. The tired eyes, sharp speech and cynical, his hands never stand still. António Aly Silva is a journalist of Bissau. His blog Ditadura do Consenso is read all over the world and represents an independent source of information to know what happens in the country. In the limited world of information of Guinea Bissau, Aly is a lone voice: unlike the media mainstream, he calls pro-government and too focused on political news, in his blog denounces corruption, abuse of power, violations of human rights and justice issues "that does not exist, except against the most fragile." For his outspoken criticism in the past, he has suffered intimidation, assault and imprisonment.
Aly Silva opened the blog in 2004, when he worked for a week in Portugal. At that time, it was very difficult to access the internet in Guinea Bissau, why visits to the country were virtually absent. However, today the situation has changed: his fellow citizens are the first readers of his articles. A source of pride and satisfaction for the journalist.
“Our journalists should talk about the problems of society, of neighborhoods, of light and water in homes - many people who still do not have - the health and the education system. But, if you flip through a newspaper, I see nothing but pages and pages on the political”.
Aly spoke with us about his vision of politics, sometimes reckless and provocative. And of his intention to transform the consensus that is getting through the web in a party politics experience. In the future, really little optimistic on Guinea Bissau, there is in fact the creation of an ultra-nationalist and independent Republican Party, inspired unity among all ethnic groups of the country at the time of the struggle against colonialism. His critical eye and observer, joined at personal experience of persecuted journalist and goal to shake the conscience, makes him claim not to believe in Guinendadi: “I do not use that word, because I think it's a way as any to cover their eyes, say that we are united when we are not”.
