• Gabon halts social media access
• Decision affects around 2.5 million users

The High Authority for Communication in Gabon announced the suspension of social media platforms “until further notice,” citing that online content had fueled conflicts and deepened divisions in the country.

In a statement, the authority said the move came in response to the spread of false information, online harassment, and unauthorized disclosure of personal data.

The authority’s spokesperson, Jean-Claude Mandom, did not specify which platforms were affected, though WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok are the most widely used in Gabon.

The decision comes under the leadership of General Brice Oligui Nguema, who won last year’s presidential election following a military coup in 2023, and faces growing social protests from teachers and civil servants over salaries and working conditions.

By Wednesday morning, some users reported partial disruptions in accessing platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. The authority’s announcement shocked Gabon, a country of around 2.5 million people, where social media is extremely popular among young people for both work and entertainment.