Authorities in Gabon have ordered an immediate nationwide suspension of social media platforms, citing concerns over misinformation and threats to public order as tensions mount across the country.
The directive was issued by the High Authority for Communication, the national media regulator, which announced that access to social networking platforms would be halted “until further notice.”
Officials said the measure was necessary to curb what they described as the spread of defamatory, hateful and false information capable of destabilising state institutions.
According to the regulator, certain online publications and user-generated content had fueled social divisions and heightened political sensitivities.
In a statement, the authority said the suspension was aimed at safeguarding national cohesion and protecting citizens from cyberbullying and the unauthorised circulation of personal data.
“Digital platforms must not become tools for inciting disorder or undermining human dignity,” the regulator said, adding that compliance would be strictly enforced.
However, the decision is expected to have wide-ranging implications for communication, commerce and civic engagement.
Small businesses, media outlets and young entrepreneurs rely heavily on platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp and TikTok for daily operations.
Moreover, digital rights advocates warn that prolonged restrictions could hamper freedom of expression and limit access to information.
Developments leading to the suspension come amid growing unrest linked to labour disputes and broader socio-political grievances.
Strikes by public sector workers, including teachers, have intensified in recent weeks, further straining the national climate.
While officials have not specified a timeline for restoring access, they indicated that services would resume once what they termed “responsible digital conduct” is assured.
The announcement was made in the capital, Libreville, on Tuesday, underscoring the government’s resolve to tighten information control during a period of heightened uncertainty.
Further updates are expected as stakeholders, including civil society groups and business leaders, assess the economic and political consequences of the suspension.