Gabon Suspends Social Media Access Amid Rising Strikes and Political Tension

Access to major social media platforms has been restricted in Gabon following a directive by the country’s media regulator to suspend services “until further notice,” amid escalating strikes and growing political tension.

By Wednesday morning, users in several parts of the country reported difficulties accessing platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. According to AFP, some users were unable to log into their accounts. While WhatsApp remains widely used across the country, authorities have not provided a detailed list of the affected platforms.

The decision was announced late Tuesday by the High Authority for Communication (HAC). In a televised statement, the regulator’s spokesperson, Jean-Claude Mendome, said the suspension was prompted by concerns over the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, and the unauthorised sharing of personal data. He alleged that certain online activities were intensifying divisions and fuelling unrest within the country.

The move comes at a sensitive time for Gabon, which is led by President Brice Oligui Nguema. Nguema assumed power after a military coup in 2023 and later won last year’s presidential election. His administration is currently facing mounting pressure, as teachers and other civil servants embark on strike actions over salary disputes and working conditions.

Authorities have not indicated how long the suspension will remain in effect, nor have they outlined clear conditions for restoring access.

Gabon’s action mirrors similar measures taken in other African countries in recent years. In Nigeria, for example, the federal government suspended Twitter on June 4, 2021, after the platform deleted a post by then-President Muhammadu Buhari. Telecommunications providers subsequently blocked access nationwide. The suspension lasted until January 2022, when the platform was reinstated.