Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh speaks during the India Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi last year.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh speaks during the India Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi last year.

THE PRESIDENT OF the African state of Djibouti Ismael Omar Guelleh has brought High Court proceedings against Facebook Ireland over what he claims are offensive posts on the social media site about him.

The matter was briefly mentioned before Mr Justice Paul Gilligan at the High Court today. The Judge was told that on consent from both parties the matter could be adjourned for a week.

In his action President Guelleh seeks several orders including one restraining Facebook Ireland Ltd from publishing or continuing to publish the content of certain Facebook accounts, and that the accounts be suspended pending the full hearing of the action.

He also wants Facebook to close the accounts and removal what the President says is the offending material.

The President of Djibouti, which is located on the Horn of Africa on the continent’s east coast, further seeks orders directing Facebook to disclose to him the identities, names, e-mail accounts, telephone numbers, postal address and IP addresses of those associated with the social accounts complained of.

President Guelleh (aged 68) has been President of Djibouti since 1999 when he took over from his uncle, who was the nation’s first leader after it obtained independence in the 1970’s. Also known by his initials IOG President Guelleh has been re-elected on two occasions since coming to power.

Facebook Ireland Ltd is the social media’s designated data processor for all accounts outside the US and Canada.

Comments are closed as the matter is before the courts.