• Gabon suspends social media platforms citing threats to social cohesion and national security.
• The move follows rising civil unrest and strikes among teachers and public workers.
• Facebook and TikTok platforms are notably reported as suspended.
• The media regulator cited that such content stokes conflict and division.
• Authorities claim freedom of expression must adhere to existing laws.

Gabon has announced a suspension of social media platforms “until further notice,” according to the High Authority for Communication. This action is attributed to the perception that online content has been “defamatory, hateful, and insulting,” exacerbating societal conflict and threatening national stability and security. Specific platforms affected have not been officially disclosed, though reports indicate Facebook and TikTok are among them, while some platforms remain accessible for now, according to BBC, Africanews, and Reuters.

The announcement has come in the context of escalating social unrest in Gabon, which has experienced strikes among teachers and other public sector workers over pay and working conditions since December 2023. President Brice Oligui Nguema is navigating his first major wave of discontent since his election following a coup last year that dethroned long-time leader Ali Bongo. The societal challenges are compounded by issues of unemployment and high living costs, as noted by civil society members criticizing the suspension's detrimental impacts on economic activities, particularly as many people rely on social media for business, according to Africanews and Al Jazeera.

The media regulator has issued warnings regarding the spread of “false information,” “cyberbullying,” and unauthorized data sharing, asserting these actions violate laws designed to maintain public order and safety. While the government underscores the necessity of such measures to preserve national security, it maintains that freedom of expression remains a fundamental right, albeit not in violation of existing laws. This perspective was echoed by officials within the Gabonese media regulator, emphasizing balance between rights and responsibilities in societal discourse, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.