Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Unrest

Libreville, Gabon - Gabon's media regulator announced an indefinite suspension of social media platforms on Tuesday, citing the need to curb harmful online content amid rising domestic unrest. The High Authority for Communication, known as HAC, stated that the measure took immediate effect to address false information, cyberbullying, unauthorized personal data disclosures, and material deemed inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, or insulting.

HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome delivered the announcement in a televised statement, emphasizing that such content had eroded human dignity, public morality, social cohesion, institutional stability, and national security. "These actions are likely to generate social conflict, destabilize the institutions of the Republic, and seriously jeopardize national unity, democratic progress, and achievements," Mendome said. The regulator did not specify which platforms would be affected but affirmed that freedom of expression, including the right to comment and criticize, remains protected under Gabonese law.

By Wednesday, access to several major services had been severely disrupted across the country. Platforms owned by Meta, including...