Gabon Shuts Down Social Media Indefinitely Over Rising Online Tensions

Gabon’s media regulator has ordered an indefinite shutdown of social media platforms, saying online activity is worsening tensions and causing division across the country.

In a statement broadcast on television, the High Authority for Communication said social media services had been suspended with immediate effect.

A spokesperson for the regulator, Jean-Claude Mendome, explained that the decision was taken because of “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” circulating online..

He said such content was undermining “human dignity, public morality, the honour of citizens, social cohesion, the stability of the Republic’s institutions, and national security.”

The regulator also pointed to the “spread of false information”, “cyberbullying” and “unauthorised disclosure of personal data” as additional reasons behind the suspension.

“These actions are likely, in the case of Gabon, to generate social conflict, destabilise the institutions of the Republic, and seriously jeopardise national unity, democratic progress, and achievements,” Mendome added. Authorities did not specify which platforms would be affected by the ban.

Despite the move, the regulator stated that “freedom of expression, including freedom of comment and criticism,” remains “a fundamental right enshrined in Gabon.”.

The move comes less than a year after Brice Oligui Nguema was elected president and at a time of rising social tension.

Since December, teachers have been on strike over salary issues and poor working conditions, with similar protests spreading to other sectors such as healthcare, universities, and state-owned media.

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