On 17 February, the High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced the suspension of social media across Gabonese territory “until further notice.” To justify this decision, the HAC claims that certain digital platforms have been misused by activists, who allegedly use them to undermine the honour and reputation of public institutions, Gabonese citizens, and public figures.

Presented by the authorities as a regulatory measure, this access restriction aims to limit the spread of false information, combat cyberbullying, and prevent the unauthorised dissemination of personal data. In practice, this suspension particularly affects users of platforms owned by Meta: namely Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as TikTok and YouTube, which have become essential tools for communication, economic activity, and civic participation.

For several years, digital technology has established itself in Gabon as a crucial means of accessing information, stimulating economic activity, and fostering civic engagement. According to the Global Digital Report 2026, over 850,000 Gabonese are active on social media, particularly on Facebook, in a country with more than 2 million inhabitants. These figures demonstrate that public debate, social exchanges, and civic mobilisations now largely occur in the digital space.

Furthermore, the digital economy is a vital source of income for thousands of young entrepreneurs, online traders, content creators, developers, and independent media. The suspension of these platforms results in a sudden halt to these activities, with immediate economic consequences, in an already fragile climate marked by social tensions and persistent sectoral demands.

AfricTivistes reminds us that while digital regulation is legitimate and necessary, it cannot justify a blanket shutdown of digital platforms, which violates the principles of necessity, proportionality, and legality enshrined in regional and international human rights instruments, notably the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Freedom of expression cannot be contingent upon collective measures that penalise all citizens for isolated abuses. Massive restrictions on access to social media constitute direct violations of fundamental rights, civic participation, and the work of journalists, while undermining democratic vitality.

This decision comes in a particular political context. President Brice Oligui Nguema came to power in 2023 following a coup d’état, before being elected in 2025 with 94.75% of the votes cast, on the promise to “restore the country” and improve the living conditions of Gabonese citizens. Since the beginning of the year, the authorities have faced social protests in the sectors of education, health, higher education, and public broadcasting, centred around demands related to salaries and deteriorating working conditions. Restricting the digital space in this context can only exacerbate distrust, increase economic precariousness, and weaken social dialogue.

As a result, AfricTivistes calls for the lifting of the suspension of social media. We urge the authorities to favour targeted, transparent regulatory mechanisms that comply with international standards for digital governance. The fight against misinformation and hate speech cannot serve as a systematic pretext for the arbitrary restriction of fundamental freedoms.

In another vein, we invite civil society organisations, economic actors, and Gabon’s partners to mobilise in defence of a free, open, accessible, and secure internet.

Stability and social cohesion cannot be built through censorship or the suspension of expression spaces, but through dialogue, transparency, and respect for rights. AfricTivistes reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defending digital freedoms, protecting civic space, and strengthening democracy on the African continent.

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