Gabon's media regulator restored social media access following an eight-month suspension
Gabon restored access to social media on Saturday, ending an eight-month suspension, the High Communication Authority (HAC) said. HAC spokesman Jean-Claude Franck Mendome announced the decision in a televised statement. The regulator said the suspension had aimed to give the government time to adapt its legal framework, while users now must provide formal identification, effectively ending online anonymity.
More context
The country’s media regulator said Saturday that social media platforms were accessible again, following an eight-month suspension that had drawn widespread criticism. The HAC had shut down platforms including Facebook and TikTok, saying online content was stoking conflict and division. The decision was conveyed on television by HAC spokesman Jean-Claude Franck Mendome. WhatsApp access was intermittent. According to the HAC, the pause was meant to give officials time to revise the legal rules governing social media. Under the current requirement, social-media users must identify themselves officially, removing online anonymity, and the HAC said it is working with Meta, TikTok and YouTube on content moderation. Gabon’s opposition had denounced the ban as an abuse of power by President Brice Oligui Nguema’s administration; authorities said it was needed to maintain public order.
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Reporting
- BBC News — Gabon says access to social media restored after eight-month ban - BBC News
- trtafrika.com — Gabon restores social media after eight-month ban - TRT Afrika
- citizen.digital — Gabon restores social media after eight-month ban
- africanews.com — Gabon restores social media access after an eight-month ban | Africanews
Verifier’s note
The results report that Gabon restored social-media access after an eight-month suspension, consistent with the proposed event and its timing. The BBC reports the announcement separately from the Reuters coverage carried by the other outlets.