Gabonese authorities have ordered a nationwide suspension of major social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, citing the circulation of hate speech, false information, and content capable of stirring social unrest.
The High Authority for Communication (HAC), Gabon’s media regulator, issued the directive on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, instructing internet service providers and telecom operators to immediately block access.
By Wednesday, February 18, 2026, both platforms were confirmed inaccessible across the country.
HAC described the online material as “defamatory, hateful, insulting, and inappropriate,” warning it posed risks to public order, national unity, and state security.
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Officials also highlighted coordinated cyberbullying, unauthorized sharing of personal data, and misinformation as threats that could exacerbate societal tensions.
The suspension comes amid growing unrest in Gabon, including a nationwide teachers’ strike that began in December 2025 over pay and working conditions.
Protests and labour disputes have since spread to other public-sector sectors, raising fears that inflammatory posts online could intensify unrest.
Authorities emphasised that freedom of expression remains constitutionally protected but said the temporary restriction is necessary to safeguard social cohesion and maintain public safety.
No timeline has been set for lifting the block, which will be reviewed once the digital environment is considered secure.