The High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced the measure in a televised address on Tuesday evening, pointing to the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and the unauthorised publication of personal data as key reasons behind the decision.
HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome did not specify which platforms would be affected, but popular apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok are widely expected to fall under the restrictions.
As of Wednesday morning, social media services remained accessible, but residents anticipate that enforcement could begin at any time.
The move comes amid a sensitive period in Gabon’s political landscape. The country has been navigating a transition since the 2023 military coup led by Brice Oligui Nguema, who later won the 2024 presidential election with over 90 percent of the vote, ending more than five decades of Bongo family rule.
Nguema, 50, pledged reforms and a break from past practices, including the frequent use of internet blackouts to control information flow under previous administrations. During the last election, independent and foreign media were allowed to film ballot counting for the first time.
However, Nguema’s government is now facing growing social and economic tensions. Teachers went on strike in December over unpaid salaries and poor working conditions, and similar disputes have spread to other public sectors, including healthcare and civil service, prompting wider unrest.
Mendome justified the suspension, saying it was necessary to curb the repeated circulation of “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” online.
For now, many Gabonese are waiting to see whether the suspension will be fully enforced nationwide and how long it might last. With labour strikes continuing and social grievances unresolved, the coming days are expected to test both the government’s authority and the resilience of Gabon’s digital economy.
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