Gabon Suspends Access To Social Media As Critics Accuse Its Leader Of Crackdown On Dissent

LIBREVILLE, Gabon — Gabon has suspended entree to societal media and integer platforms passim nan cardinal African federation until further notice, nan authorities said arsenic critics impeach nan country’s leader of crackdown connected dissent.

The communications agency said it had observed connected societal media and integer platforms what it described arsenic inappropriate, defamatory, hateful and insulting contented that undermines quality dignity, nan country’s institutions and nationalist security.

The agency’s connection added that this constitutes offenses punishable nether nationalist and world laws, arsenic good arsenic nether policies connected moderation adopted by awesome integer platforms.

“The High Authority for Communication has decided to instantly suspend societal media passim Gabon until further notice,” Jean Claude Franck Mendome, nan spokesperson for nan agency, known arsenic High Authority for Communication, said successful a connection that was publication retired connected nationalist media connected Tuesday evening.

Social media platforms — including Meta and TikTok — were severely impacted connected Wednesday. The two, on pinch WhatsApp, nan messaging work owned by Meta, are nan astir wide utilized by Gabonese citizens. WhatsApp calls were besides experiencing important disruptions connected Wednesday.

The country’s leader, Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was accused of irresponsible governance.

Last year, Oligui Nguema won nan statesmanlike election, raising hopes for a return to law democracy. However, critics opportunity he has been progressively clamping down connected captious voices, targeting independent media and waste and acquisition unionists. A journalist and 2 waste and acquisition unionists were imprisoned past year.

Goma writes for nan Associated Press.