On Wednesday, Gabon announced it would suspend certain social media platforms for disseminating “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful and abusive” content, asserting that such material jeopardizes “social cohesion, the stability of the republic’s institutions and national security.”
The Gabonese High Authority for Communications (HAC) reported that the ban was put in place “immediately” and will last until “further notice,” although it did not specify which platforms were affected or detail the allegations against them.
NetBlocks, an internet surveillance organization, has been monitoring global government attempts to restrict online communications. It detected that Gabon experienced a significant drop in connectivity with YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Additionally, NetBlocks observed a marked rise in Gabonians utilizing virtual private network (VPN) services to bypass government-imposed restrictions. There was a notable spike in Google searches for VPN information from Gabon, and Proton VPN reported a staggering 60,000 percent increase in sign-ups from the country.
According to David Peterson, the general manager of Proton VPN, Gabon had faced partial internet outages during “politically sensitive times” in the past, leading many residents to be prepared for VPN alternatives as soon as the announcement of the latest shutdown was made.
Gabon is currently led by General Brice Origui Nguema, who took power in a coup in 2023 and claimed to have garnered 90% of the votes in the April 2025 presidential election. Since then, his leadership has grown increasingly authoritarian, coinciding with a decline in the national economy and rising social unrest.
According to a report from Wednesday’s BBC, the decision to ban social media surprised many Gabonians, who are heavy users of these platforms and depend on them for their businesses.
One restaurant owner expressed frustration, saying, “Almost 40% of our customers came to our restaurant after seeing our ads on social media. Customers are drawn in by the ads, reviews from friends, and photos, so losing that means losing potential new customers.”
Some analysts believe that Nguema’s regime may be reacting to a teachers’ strike that started in December, which could spill over into other sectors. There have also been protests against rising living costs that seem to have emerged alongside the teachers’ strike. These protests could escalate if the social media blackout further harms a struggling economy.
