The suspension has sparked concern among business owners and young people, who rely heavily on social media for commerce and communication. A restaurant owner in the capital, Libreville, told the BBC that the decision would significantly hurt his business, noting that a large share of his customers are drawn in through online advertising and reviews.
He warned that the restrictions could push the country backwards economically, saying the inability to reach new customers online would have immediate consequences for small businesses.
Others expressed less concern. A taxi driver in Libreville said the authorities must have had serious reasons for taking such action, adding that the situation likely warranted intervention.
HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome said the regulator had acted in response to repeated dissemination of what he described as inappropriate, defamatory, hateful and insulting content that undermines human dignity, social cohesion, institutional stability and national security. He warned that such content could generate social conflict and threaten national unity and democratic progress.
Mendome stressed, however, that freedom of expression, including the right to comment and criticise, remains a fundamental right guaranteed under Gabonese law.
Digital restrictions have been used in the past by Gabon’s former governments, particularly during periods of political tension. President Nguema had previously pledged democratic reforms after ending more than five decades of rule by the Bongo family, and last year’s election was marked by greater openness, including allowing foreign and independent media to observe the ballot count.
Teachers began striking in December over wages and working conditions, with similar protests later spreading to other public sector workers, including in health and education.