Audio By Carbonatix
A social media influencer in Angola has had her prison sentence increased to two years for "insulting" President João Lourenço on TikTok.
Ana da Silva Miguel, popularly known as Neth Nahara, was initially sentenced by a court to six months in August.
However, an appeals court ruled that the sentence was too lenient and raised it to two years.
Ms Miguel accused the president on her TikTok account of "anarchy and disorganisation", local media reported.
She also blamed the president for the lack of schools, housing and employment in the oil-rich southern African state.
President Lourenço was re-elected for a second term in August last year in a closely fought election that extended the ruling MPLA party's decades-long dominance.
It has been in power since independence in 1975 and is accused of leading a repressive regime.
The appeals court in the capital, Luanda, said that Ms Miguel had used offensive words against the president, and the fact that she had the ability to influence public opinion made her conduct "more objectionable".
She had pleaded for leniency on the grounds that she was a first-time offender, a mother of young children, and regretted her remarks.
But the court dismissed her plea, and went further to order her to pay President Lourenço $1,200 (£1,000) for the "damage" caused to his reputation.
Judge Salomão Raimundo Kulanda described the president as "sovereign", and said the TikToker was aware of this.
Ms Miguel has more than 230,000 followers on TikTok and her videos attract thousands of views.
Her lawyer told Portuguese news outlet, Lusa, that this was the first time a person had been convicted in Angola for something they had posted on TikTok.
The lawyer added that the ruling was final. An appeal to the Supreme Court could not be made for a sentence that was less than three years.
The state prosecutor had asked for a harsher punishment, saying the initial six-month sentence was too "benevolent" and Ms Miguel was likely to put similar posts on social media again.
Angola is one of Africa's biggest oil exporters but most of its people live in poverty.
It has recently been hit by a wave of protests over the rising cost of living.
In August, campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the security forces of unlawfully killing at least 15 people, mostly government critics, since the beginning of the year.
President Lourenço in June sacked the economic minister following deadly protests over a reduction in a fuel subsidy, which led to a spike in prices.
Latest Stories
-
Forestry office attack: Suspected gang leader arrested, two stolen cars recovered
7 seconds -
How Asamoah Gyan reacted after Ghana was paired with England, Croatia, and Panama for the 2026 World Cup
3 hours -
Ghana Armed Forces opens 2025/2026 intake for military academy
3 hours -
Prime Insight: OSP vs. Kpebu and petitions to remove EC boss to dominate discussions this Saturday
3 hours -
Multimedia’s David Andoh selected among international journalists covering PLANETech 2025 in Israel
4 hours -
Gov’t prioritising real action over slogans – Kwakye Ofosu
5 hours -
England are tough, but we can play against Ghana, Panama – Croatia coach reacts to World Cup draw
6 hours -
Togbe Afede urges Ghanaians to support made-in-Ghana products
6 hours -
We can beat anyone – Otto Addo reacts to World Cup draw
6 hours -
Chief Justice urges judicial staff to uphold compassion and professionalism
7 hours -
MTN Ghana partners open vegetable centre of excellence
7 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Mensah brace fires All Blacks to victory over Eleven Wonders
7 hours -
This Saturday on Newsfile: Petitions against the OSP, EC heads, and 2025 WASSCE results
8 hours -
Ambassador urges U.S. investors to prioritise land verification as Ghana courts more investment
8 hours -
Europe faces an expanding corruption crisis
8 hours
