Gabon Suspends Social Media Amid Political Tensions

Gabon has announced the suspension of all social media platforms across the country until further notice, citing concerns over online content that fuels unrest and exacerbates social divisions. The announcement was made by Jean Claude Mendom, spokesperson for the High Authority of Communication (HAC), during a televised address on Tuesday.

The specific platforms affected were not detailed, but widely used applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok are expected to fall under these restrictions. This decision comes amid a sensitive political period following the 2023 military coup led by Brice Oligui Nguema, who later won the 2024 presidential election with 90 percent of the vote, ending five decades of Bongo family rule.

The government aims to curb the spread of false information and cyberbullying, as well as unauthorized public data sharing. The suspension is seen as necessary to address the circulation of defamatory and hateful content online.

Meanwhile, labor strikes continue due to unpaid salaries and worsening working conditions, contributing to ongoing social tensions in the country.