KEY POINTS
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Gabon has lifted an eight-month suspension of social media platforms.
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The ban was imposed in February over claims that online content fuelled conflict and division.
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The restriction drew criticism amid strikes, social unrest and opposition accusations of abuse of power.
Gabon has restored access to social media after an eight-month ban that disrupted online communication in the Central African country and drew widespread criticism.
The country’s High Communication Authority (HAC) announced the decision to lift the suspension in a televised statement on Saturday. The BBC said it had contacted the regulator for further comment.
The ban on Social Media was introduced on February 17, with the authority arguing that online content was contributing to conflict and deepening divisions within the country.
The restoration marks a reversal of the measure, which restricted access to popular platforms used by millions of people worldwide for communication, entertainment, news and business.
Social media services affected by the suspension included Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. These platforms are particularly popular among younger Gabonese, many of whom use them to promote businesses, reach customers and maintain social connections.
Users Turned to VPNs During Suspension
Despite the restrictions, some Gabonese users continued accessing social media through virtual private networks (VPNs), which can route internet traffic through servers in other locations.
The reliance on VPNs reflected the importance of online platforms to everyday activities, including business transactions and communication.
The suspension had disrupted access to digital spaces used by individuals and businesses to share information, advertise products and engage with audiences.
However, the HAC has not provided further details in the reported announcement about the practical arrangements for restoring access or whether additional conditions will apply to social media use.
Ban Came Amid Social Unrest
The suspension was imposed during a period of growing social unrest under President Brice Oligui Nguema, who was facing pressure less than a year after winning the presidential election.
Teachers and civil servants had staged strikes over what they described as low wages and poor working conditions, adding to tensions in the country.
The decision to restrict social media attracted criticism from opposition figures, who described the measure as an abuse of power.
Authorities had defended the suspension on the grounds that online content was fuelling conflict and divisions. The latest announcement, however, brings the eight-month restriction to an end.
Nguema Had Promised Reforms After Political Transition
Nguema won Gabon’s presidential election last year with more than 90 per cent of the vote, two years after leading a coup that ended more than five decades of rule by the Bongo family.
Following the takeover, he pledged to reform the country, which has significant oil and timber resources but has also experienced restrictions on information under previous governments.
Digital blackouts had been used by earlier administrations to limit the flow of information, making the latest social media suspension particularly contentious.
The restoration of access comes against this historical background, with questions about freedom of expression, political accountability and government control of online communication remaining important issues.
Questions Remain Over Online Freedom
The lifting of the ban restores access to platforms that have become important tools for communication, commerce and public debate in Gabon.
For small businesses and young entrepreneurs, social media can provide an affordable way to market products and connect with customers. The suspension had limited access to these channels for users unable or unwilling to bypass the restrictions.
The decision also ends a measure that had drawn opposition criticism during a period of labour unrest and wider public dissatisfaction.
Although the HAC announced the restoration, further clarification from the regulator would help establish whether the government intends to introduce new rules governing online content.
For now, the lifting of the suspension represents a reversal of the February decision and reopens access to major social media platforms after eight months of restrictions.
