In a sweeping and controversial move, the Government of Gabon has suspended access to social media platforms nationwide “until further notice,” citing concerns that online content is fuelling conflict, undermining social cohesion and threatening national security. The decision, announced on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, follows weeks of mounting anti-government protests and labour strikes, and has drawn strong reactions both domestically and internationally from groups defending freedom of expression and digital rights.
The suspension was declared by the High Authority for Communication (HAC), Gabon’s media regulator, in a televised statement read by its spokesman Jean-Claude Mendome. According to the regulator, the measure was necessary because of what it described as the “recurrent dissemination of inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” on social media, which officials warned could destabilise state institutions and jeopardise public order.
Mendome explained that the online spread of false information, cyberbullying and unauthorised disclosure of personal data had increased tensions in society and risked inciting unrest. The HAC indicated that these patterns of online behaviour threatened human dignity, public morality, social cohesion, the stability of the Republic’s institutions and national security, and therefore justified the suspension of digital platforms.
While HAC’s statement did not specify which services were covered by the ban, internet watchdog NetBlocks and diplomatic sources reported that access to major social networks including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and other platforms was disrupted or blocked. Some users indicated that popular messaging tools, especially WhatsApp calling, were no longer fully functional within Gabonese networks.
The government’s announcement emphasised that the suspension was not intended to curtail fundamental freedoms, asserting that “freedom of expression, including freedom of comment and criticism,” remains “a fundamental right enshrined in Gabon.” However, critics argue that the timing and breadth of the blackout suggest political motives tied to the broader unrest gripping the country.
Context of unrest
The social media ban comes amid an intensifying wave of civil discontent that has challenged President General Brice Oligui Nguema’s leadership since his election following a military coup in 2023. Oligui, 50, assumed power after ousting long-time ruler Ali Bongo Ondimba and later secured a decisive victory in the 2025 presidential election, raising public expectations for reform and improved living standards.
Protests began in December 2025, sparked by a wave of strikes by teachers over low pay and poor working conditions. The demonstrations have since spread to other sectors, including healthcare, broadcasting and higher education, with civil servants and unions voicing broader grievances over cost-of-living pressures and economic governance. Many protests have been organised and amplified through social media a reality that Gabonese authorities explicitly cited in their justification for the ban.
Opposition figures and civil society have strongly criticised the suspension. Alain-Claude Billie-By-Nze, a prominent opposition leader, described the social media blackout as imposing “a climate of fear and repression” and a tactic to curb citizens’ ability to coordinate protests and share information about events on the ground. For many Gabonese, who increasingly rely on social networks for news, work, entrepreneurship and community engagement, the loss of digital connectivity represents a significant disruption.
Public reaction and technical responses
The decision has triggered a surge in interest for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other tools that allow users to bypass government-imposed restrictions. Reports from cybersecurity analysts show that searches for VPN services spiked sharply across Gabon following the announcement, as users sought ways to maintain access to blocked apps and information channels.
Local business owners, especially small enterprises that rely on social media for marketing and customer engagement, have expressed concern over the economic impact of the suspension. For many informal and digital-economy workers, the blackout has disrupted daily operations and deepened uncertainty about the stability of the digital environment in Gabon.
International rights groups and digital freedom advocates have condemned the ban. They argue that while governments can justifiably act against genuinely harmful or criminal content, broad shutdowns of social media risk undermining freedom of expression, the free flow of information and civic participation. Some analysts point out that digital blackouts have been used historically in other African countries to suppress dissent during periods of political instability, calling for more proportionate and transparent approaches to content moderation.
Political and security implications
Gabon’s decision to suspend social media reflects a broader tension between national security concerns and democratic freedoms in an era where digital platforms play an essential role in public discourse. President Oligui’s administration faces growing pressure to address economic challenges, wage disputes and rising public frustration. The postponement of digital communications highlights the extent to which authorities are prepared to restrict information flow to manage domestic unrest.
The suspension also raises questions about the future of governance, civic engagement and trust in Gabon’s institutions. Observers warn that prolonged communication blackouts could deepen societal divisions and hamper efforts to build consensus around reforms and social contracts. For Gabon’s roughly 2.5 million residents many of whom are young and digitally connected the absence of social media may leave a lasting impact on public life, economic activity and political expression.
As the situation unfolds, analysts are closely watching how Gabon’s leadership balances security priorities with commitments to democratic principles and freedoms, particularly as the country navigates ongoing protests and calls for systemic change.