Blatant disregard for rights': concern grows over Gabon's social media clampdown

"When Gabon's media regulator indefinitely suspended major social media platforms in February, citing security concerns during anti-government protests, it became the talk of town literally. Within weeks of the announcement, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions surged in the central African country. When gendarmerie began stopping young men at road checkpoints in the capital Libreville and other urban centres to confiscate mobile phones with VPNs installed or detain the owners, warnings spread by word of mouth."

"The government cited misinformation, disinformation, pornographic content, and incitement to hatred as reasons for the shutdown. Rights groups have urged authorities to follow due process to prosecute any offenders, rather than collective punishment through unconstitutional restriction of freedom of expression. This sustained intentional interference with access to essential digital communication platforms in Gabon is a blatant disregard for people's fundamental rights, specifically the freedom of expression and the right to access information."

"Nelly Ngabima, a controversial activist also known as Princesse de Souba, said she received threats from Gabonese government officials that they would make her disappear from social networks. Within a couple of months, her accounts with a combined following of over 300,000 across Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, had been suspended. They create fake accounts and they put our identities on those accounts, then they report us for identity theft, she said."

Gabon’s media regulator indefinitely suspended major social media platforms in February, citing security concerns during anti-government protests. VPN use surged as people tried to bypass the restrictions. Gendarmerie stopped young men at road checkpoints in Libreville and other urban areas to confiscate phones with VPNs installed or detain owners. Activists and opposition members reported account suspensions linked to state officials’ efforts. Social media had been used by citizens to convene and stay informed during sector protests over pay and the cost of living crisis. The government cited misinformation, disinformation, pornographic content, and incitement to hatred. Rights groups urged due process rather than collective punishment through unconstitutional limits on freedom of expression and access to information. Anthonio said the interference disregarded fundamental rights, while Ngabima reported threats and suspension of accounts with a combined following exceeding 300,000.

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