Gabon’s media regulator announced Tuesday the suspension of social media platforms “until further notice”, citing concerns that online content was fueling division and undermining national stability.
Reasons for the Ban
In a televised statement, Jean-Claude Mendome, spokesman for the High Authority for Communication, said the decision was prompted by “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” that threatened human dignity, public morality, social cohesion, and national security.
The regulator also pointed to the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and the unauthorized disclosure of personal data as factors behind the suspension. Mendome warned that such actions could “generate social conflict, destabilise the institutions of the Republic, and seriously jeopardise national unity.”
Freedom of Expression
Despite the sweeping ban, the regulator emphasized that freedom of expression remains a “fundamental right enshrined in Gabon.” No specific platforms were named in the announcement, leaving uncertainty about the scope of the suspension.
Political and Social Context
The move comes less than a year after President Brice Oligui Nguema took office and amid growing social unrest. Teachers have been on strike since December over pay and working conditions, with protests spreading to other public sectors including health, higher education, and broadcasting. Civil servants have also threatened to join the wave of industrial action.
Outlook
The suspension of social media highlights the government’s struggle to balance freedom of expression with concerns over national security and social cohesion. As unrest grows across multiple sectors, the decision is likely to spark debate over the role of digital platforms in Gabon’s political and social landscape.
