The government of Gabon has ordered an indefinite shutdown of social media platforms across the country, saying the move is necessary to protect national security and restore public order.
The announcement came from Gabon’s media regulator, the High Authority for Communication (HAC), which said it had observed a surge in online content spreading false information, hate speech, and what it described as coordinated cyberbullying.
According to HAC, some posts have also involved the unauthorised sharing of personal data, something it says violates Gabon’s 2016 Communications Code. 
Telecom companies and internet service providers have now been instructed to block access to major social media platforms until further notice.
Why now?
The shutdown comes at a tense moment in the country. Since December 2025, teachers have been on strike over pay, professional status, and working conditions. The protest has grown into one of the clearest signs of wider dissatisfaction within Gabon’s public sector.
Social media has been a key space where conversations about the strike and broader national issues have been put out.
At the same time, the economic impact could be significant. By late 2025, Gabon had an estimated 850,000 active social media users, which is roughly one-third of the population. For many small businesses and entrepreneurs, platforms like Facebook and Instagram are not just for chatting; they are essential tools for marketing and daily sales.
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A familiar move
The country has been going through a political transition since the August 2023 coup led by President Brice Oligui Nguema. A coup that led to the temporary shutdown of internet access with the reason of wanting to prevent misinformation.
After the coup, he went on to win the 2025 presidential election, further consolidating his leadership.
The latest social media shutdown raises questions about the balance between national security and freedom of expression in Gabon.
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