Gabon says access to social media restored after eight-month ban

What the report says

Gabon has restored access to social media after an eight-month ban, according to a report by BBC Africa. The country’s High Communication Authority announced the change in a televised statement on Saturday, reversing a restriction that had been introduced on 17 February. Authorities had said at the time that online posts were worsening conflict and divisions, while opposition figures criticised the measure as an abuse of power.

The ban affected widely used platforms including Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram in the central African nation of about 2.5 million people. BBC Africa reported that many users relied on virtual private networks to keep accessing the services during the blackout, especially younger people who use social media for business as well as personal communication.

The suspension came during a period of political tension, including strikes by teachers and civil servants over pay and working conditions. It also followed major changes in Gabon’s politics after President Brice Oligui Nguema rose to power following a coup and later won last year’s election. The BBC noted that digital restrictions had also been used under previous governments, making the restoration of access a significant shift in a country where online platforms are an important channel for information and expression.