The Gabonese authorities announced a temporary shutdown of several social media platforms, citing the need to regulate their use and ensure the quality of public discourse amidst social unrest.
The Gabonese presidency has announced that it is responsible for the temporary suspension of several social media networks, including Facebook and TikTok, starting Wednesday. The spokesperson emphasized that the shutdown is not a permanent ban but a pause designed to create a legal framework for digital spaces. The government claims this move aims to maintain social harmony and ensure citizens access reliable and accurate information, dismissing notions that the action is an attempt at censorship.
The spokesperson highlighted concerns that social media have become 'factories for producing alternative truths,' which could undermine the quality of public dialogue. This suspension is part of a broader plan the government has been contemplating for months to regulate the digital information space. The authorities are undertaking this step in the context of an ongoing social tension in Gabon, suggesting a calculated response rather than an arbitrary decision.
Additionally, the decision coincides with increasing social unrest in the country since the beginning of the year. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who rose to power following a coup in 2023 and was elected last year, is currently facing strikes in various sectors, including education and health. This backdrop of social discord raises serious questions about the government's approach to managing political dissent and information dissemination, which could have lasting implications for Gabon's digital landscape and civic engagement.
