Service blocking
Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, YouTube
Gabon's High Authority for Communication (HAC) has ordered the indefinite suspension of major social media networks to "protect national unity and prevent social conflict" amid local unrest.
- Total Duration 9 days, 14 hours
Local impact
Jean-Claude Mendome — spokesperson for the HAC — announced the suspension of social networks in a televised announcement to prevent the "spread of false information" amid a wave of cost-of-living protests.
The protests, which began in December 2025 over pay and working conditions, have reportedly spread across other public sectors, including healthcare, higher education, and broadcasting.
Gabon last experienced a deliberate disruption to its Internet services in 2023 following its presidential election.
Related documentation
Other supporting information
OONI data shows a high percentage of anomalies when connecting to Meta services (Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp) as well as to Telegram, TikTok, and YouTube. Note that X (Twitter) is not experiencing any anomalies.
Per OONI's report, some measurements returned ok results for affected services, suggesting that not all services are blocked on all tested networks in Gabon. Moreover, the overall measurement volume is relatively low, limiting the findings.
Google Transparency Report also shows a significant drop in traffic to YouTube since 18 February.
If you are in Gabon, you can test social media further and contribute more measurements by running OONI Probe.
Social media
The Internet Society Gabon Chapter issued a communique on the situation.
The Internet Society Chad Chapter advocated on national TV for authorities in Gabon to allow Internet services to resume.