Feb 18, 2026, 1:53 p.mFeb 18, 2026, 1:53 p.m
The government in Gabon, Central Africa, has announced the blocking of all social media in the country.
The ban should apply immediately and until further notice, according to a statement from the communications authority that was read out on television. On Wednesday, Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok were no longer accessible to the country’s approximately 2.5 million residents, as residents of the capital Libreville told the German Press Agency. Whatsapp and other messengers initially continued to work.
In the future, social media should be blocked for everyone of all age groups. (nib)Image: keystone
The authorities cited the spread of false news, defamation of people and institutions and violations of data protection as reasons. Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, but must not be exercised in violation of applicable laws.
In the previous weeks, frustration over rising costs of living and low salaries had led to protests and strikes in the forest- and oil-rich coastal country on the equator. President Brice Oligui Nguema’s government suspended taxes, import duties and fees on several food and construction materials for six months in response to this week’s protests.
The President of Gabon Brice Oligui.Image: keystone
Two and a half years ago, Oligui led a bloodless coup against the Bongo family, which had ruled autocratically for decades. He was then elected president almost a year ago. Many of the approximately 2.5 million Gabonese people, most of whom live in poverty despite the country’s wealth of raw materials, had high hopes for Oligui. According to the World Bank, almost 40 percent of young people are unemployed. (sda/dpa)