LIBREVILLE, Gabon — Gabon says it is in talks with Meta and TikTok after suspending access to major social media platforms earlier this month, a move the government says was necessary to curb online content blamed for fueling conflict, defamation and division. The suspension, announced by the country’s media regulator on February 18, remains in place “until further notice,” though officials insist it is not permanent.
Government officials have defended the measure in increasingly sharp terms. Deputy presidency spokesperson Jennyfer Melodie Sambat said companies failed to respond despite repeated warnings about “defamatory, violent and pornographic” content, adding that it was “inconceivable” for platforms to ignore government alerts. Reuters reported last week that Gabon’s High Authority for Communication justified the restrictions as necessary to protect social cohesion, institutional stability and national security.
The pressure now appears to be shifting toward negotiation. Africanews reported Thursday that TikTok has contacted the media regulator and expressed a shared commitment to maintaining a “safe digital environment that respects the rights of Gabonese citizens.” The same report said Gabon is also in discussions with Meta, suggesting the government may be looking for tougher moderation commitments before considering any restoration of service. Critics, however, say the ban is excessive and politically dangerous. Former prime minister and opposition figure Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze described the suspension as “disproportionate” and unconstitutional, while AP reported broader concern that the measure fits a pattern of tightening pressure on dissent under President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Despite the restrictions, the shutdown has not fully sealed off access. Proton VPN reported a 60,000% increase in Gabon-related downloads after the suspension was announced, a sign that many users are bypassing the blockade through virtual private networks. One point worth clarifying: some reports describe the measure as affecting all social media platforms, while Reuters and AP more cautiously say several major platforms were restricted, including Meta services, TikTok and YouTube. Either way, the suspension has become one of Gabon’s most sweeping digital crackdowns in years.
