The Gabonese government’s five-month-old social media lockdown has sparked concerns over the erosion of freedom of expression in the country. The suspension, which was initially presented as a measure to combat hate speech and misinformation, has become a normative response to the crisis.
Behind the closed screens, an entire economy is grinding to a halt. Online media, content creators, e-commerce merchants, communication agencies, and small businesses that relied on social media for their commercial activities are all feeling the pinch. With widespread unemployment and persistent economic difficulties, this prolonged suspension is taking a heavy toll on many Gabonese who rely on these platforms for their livelihoods.