Gabon announces lifting of social media ban after about eight months

Gabon has announced the lifting of its ban on social media after about eight months, according to the BBC, Anadolu Agency and AllAfrica. The BBC attributes the announcement to Gabon's authorities. Anadolu Agency and AllAfrica report it directly.

The ban took effect on 17 February. At the time, the High Communication Authority (HAC), the country's media regulator, said online content was fuelling conflict and deepening divisions in the country.

The measure drew widespread criticism. Platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram are popular with young people in Gabon, including for business. Many users turned to virtual private networks (VPNs) to keep using social media during the ban.

The ban was imposed while President Brice Oligui Nguema faced a wave of social unrest, less than a year after his election. The unrest included strikes by teachers and civil servants.

According to the BBC, the HAC announced the lifting of the ban on Saturday in a televised statement. The BBC said it had approached the regulator for comment. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include a response.

The BBC also reported that Gabon has a population of about 2.5 million. According to the BBC, Nguema won last year's elections with more than 90% of the vote. That was two years after a coup he led ended more than five decades of rule by the Bongo family. The BBC reported that he pledged at the time to reform Gabon, where previous governments had used digital blackouts to control information.

What each side says

• Gabonese authorities and the HAC: Social media access has been restored and the ban lifted, according to the BBC.
• The HAC, when the ban began: Online content was fuelling conflict and deepening divisions.
• Gabon's opposition: The suspension was an abuse of power, according to the BBC and AllAfrica.
• Striking teachers and civil servants: They staged strikes over what they said were low pay and poor working conditions, according to the BBC.

What the reports do not show

The reports do not give the HAC's reason for lifting the ban now. They do not include the text of the televised statement or direct quotes from officials. They do not independently confirm that access has been restored in practice, or whether the change applies to all platforms nationwide. They do not say whether any conditions come with the lifting. They also do not describe the legal basis for the ban, any legal challenges to it, or its economic impact on businesses.

Much of the detailed reporting traces to the BBC. AllAfrica's text closely follows the BBC's wording. The Anadolu Agency report reviewed by Vocemundi consists only of a headline.

Analysis

The announcement ends a measure that the authorities justified on grounds of social cohesion and that critics, including the opposition, described as an abuse of power. Without a stated reason for the timing, observers may read it in different ways. It could reflect a judgment that tensions have eased, a response to criticism, or other considerations. Key open questions include whether access is fully restored across all platforms, whether any conditions apply, and how authorities might respond to future unrest. The outcome may also shape how Nguema's earlier reform pledges are assessed, both at home and abroad.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.