The High Authority for Communication (HAC), Gabon’s media regulator, has suspended social media platforms indefinitely, citing concerns over online content fueling tensions and divisions in the country. The ban is reportedly linked to the spread of misinformation, cyberbullying, and unauthorized sharing of personal data.

Popular platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok are likely affected, leaving users and businesses scrambling. A local restaurateur expressed concerns about the impact on his business, citing lost promotional opportunities.

The suspension comes amid growing unrest, including strikes by teachers and civil servants seeking better pay and working conditions. President Brice Oligui Nguema’s government faces pressure to address these issues. HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome emphasized that while freedom of expression is valued, the ban aims to safeguard national unity and prevent social conflict.