Social media suspended in Gabon for spreading fake information

Gabon’s media regulator has imposed an indefinite suspension on major social media platforms, citing the widespread dissemination of false information, cyberbullying, and other harmful online content as threats to national stability and social cohesion.

Libreville, Gabon – February 19, 2026 – In a dramatic move to curb what authorities describe as dangerous online activity, Gabon’s High Authority for Communication (HAC) announced on Tuesday evening the immediate and indefinite suspension of social media platforms across the country.

The decision, delivered in a televised statement by HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome (also referred to as Jean Claude Franck Mendome in some reports), targets platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp. Internet monitoring organization NetBlocks confirmed restrictions on several of these services starting Wednesday, with users reporting widespread inaccessibility.

The HAC justified the ban by pointing to the “spread of false information,” cyberbullying, defamatory posts, unauthorized disclosure of personal data, and content that allegedly fuels conflict, deepens societal divisions, and undermines national security. Officials emphasized that unchecked online activity has contributed to unrest and threatens public order amid ongoing challenges in the Central African nation.

“The High Authority for Communication has decided to immediately suspend social media throughout Gabon until further notice,” Mendome stated, framing the measure as essential to protect social harmony and institutional stability.

The suspension comes against a backdrop of rising tensions, including anti-government protests, cost-of-living demonstrations that began late last year, and recent labor unrest such as a teachers’ strike. Critics, including opposition figures and civil society groups, have accused the government under President Brice Oligui Nguema of using the ban to silence dissent and crack down on free expression during a sensitive period.

Many Gabonese have turned to virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions, leading to a reported surge in demand for such tools. While some platforms like X (formerly Twitter) may remain partially accessible according to certain eyewitness accounts, the overall impact has severely limited digital communication for millions in a country where social media plays a key role in news sharing, activism, and everyday connectivity.

This is not the first time African governments have restricted internet or social media access during periods of political or social tension, often citing misinformation or security concerns. Rights advocates have frequently criticized such measures as disproportionate and infringing on freedom of expression.

No timeline has been provided for when the suspension might be lifted, with authorities stating it will remain in effect “until further notice” as the situation is monitored.

The move has sparked mixed reactions online (where access permits) and internationally, with some praising it as a bold step against disinformation, while others decry it as authoritarian overreach.

As Gabon navigates its ongoing transitions and challenges, the social media blackout underscores the growing tension between digital freedoms and state control in the region. Updates are expected as the situation develops.