Gabon has joined a growing number of African countries using digital infrastructure to manage social tensions, as the High Authority for Communication (HAC), the nation’s media regulator, announced an indefinite suspension of social media platforms.
In a televised statement on Tuesday, HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome said the suspension was necessary to curb the “spread of false information,” “cyberbullying,” and the “unauthorised disclosure of personal data.” He added that inappropriate and hateful content had contributed to the erosion of national security and human dignity. The directive takes “immediate effect” and will remain in force “until further notice,” with partial disruptions already reported by the BBC. The regulator did not specify which platforms were affected or whether the suspension targets specific services.
The move comes amid growing social tensions, less than a year after President Brice Oligui Nguema was elected. Teachers across the country began striking in December 2025 over pay and working conditions, with unrest spreading to health and broadcasting sectors. Critics note that the timing of the suspension coincides with rising public dissatisfaction over living costs and labour conditions.
Gabon’s decision reflects a wider trend across Africa, where governments have repeatedly restricted social media during elections or periods of protest. In October 2025, Tanzania restricted Internet access nationwide during general elections, while Nigeria suspended Twitter for seven months in 2021, and Uganda disrupted Facebook and other platforms during its elections the same year.
Digital rights organisations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) have warned that such shutdowns can limit freedom of expression, restrict access to information, and impact economic activity. Despite these concerns, HAC maintains that freedom of expression, including the right to comment and criticise, remains protected under Gabonese law.