Gabon Government Restores Social Media Access After Eight-Month Ban

The Gabonese government has announced the restoration of access to social media platforms across the country, concluding an eight-month prohibition implemented in the wake of the August 2023 general election.

Authorities had previously argued that online content was exacerbating societal conflict, necessitating the ban to maintain order. However, this rationale faced strong condemnation from opposition factions, who characterised the move as a blatant attempt to silence critical voices and curtail fundamental freedoms.

The restriction severely limited public discourse and the flow of information for nearly a third of a year, drawing international scrutiny regarding press freedom and digital rights in the Central African nation.