The government of Gabon has ordered the suspension of social media platforms nationwide “until further notice,” citing concerns that online content is fuelling unrest and deepening social divisions.
The decision was announced Tuesday evening in a televised address by the High Authority for Communication (HAC). Spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome attributed the move to what he described as the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and the unauthorised publication of personal data.
Although the HAC did not specify which platforms would be affected, widely used applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook and TikTok are expected to fall under the restriction, according to reports. Social media platforms remained accessible on Wednesday morning, but residents said enforcement could begin at any time.
The directive comes at a delicate political moment for the country. Gabon has been in transition since the 2023 military coup led by Brice Oligui Nguema, who later secured victory in the 2024 presidential election with more than 90 percent of the vote, ending over five decades of rule by the Bongo family.
Since assuming office, Nguema has pledged wide-ranging reforms and a departure from past practices, including internet shutdowns used by previous administrations to control information flows. During the 2024 election, foreign and independent media were allowed to film ballot counting for the first time.
However, the government is currently grappling with mounting social and economic pressures. Teachers embarked on strike action in December over unpaid salaries and deteriorating working conditions, with similar grievances spreading to other sectors such as healthcare and the civil service, heightening public tensions.
In his address, Mendome said the suspension was necessary to curb what he described as the repeated circulation of “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” online.
Many Gabonese citizens are now awaiting further details on the scope and duration of the measure. With labour strikes ongoing and social tensions unresolved, the coming days are expected to test both the government’s authority and the resilience of the country’s digital economy.
