#KeepItOn coalition calls for reversal of social media shutdown in Gabon
A coalition of more than 345 civil society organisations has urged Gabonese authorities to restore access to major social media platforms following a suspension announced on 17 February 2026.
Members of the #KeepItOn coalition, a global network of over 345 organisations working on digital rights issues, have called on the government of Gabon to reverse a decision to suspend access to major social media platforms.
In a televised statement on 17 February 2026, Jean-Claude Mendome, spokesperson for the High Authority for Communication (HAC), announced the immediate suspension of social networks to prevent what authorities described as the spread of false information. According to technical measurements by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), access to platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube has been restricted since 18 February.
The suspension comes amid anti-government protests and a labour strike in the country. The coalition states that limiting access to digital communication platforms affects freedom of expression and access to information, particularly during periods of political tension. It also notes that such platforms are used for commercial activities and social communication.
The statement recalls previous internet disruptions in Gabon, including during the August 2023 elections and earlier political events in 2016, 2019 and 2021. It references constitutional and international legal frameworks protecting freedom of expression, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The coalition also addressed telecommunications operators in Gabon, including Moov Gabon, Gabon Telecom and Airtel Gabon, citing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in relation to transparency and due diligence when implementing government directives.
The statement was signed by:
- Access Now
- Activate Rights
- Afia-Amani Grands-Lacs
- Afghanistan Democracy and Development Organization (ADDO)
- African Freedom of Expression Exchange (AFEX)
- Africa Freedom of Information Center (AFIC)
- Africa Open Data and Internet Research Foundation (AODIRF)
- AfricTivistes
- Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE)
- Bloggers of Zambia- BloggersZM
- Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP)
- Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)
- Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
- Conexión Segura y Libre (CSL)
- Digital Access
- Digicivic Initiative
- Digital Resilience Development (Tajikistan)
- Digital Rights Watch (DRW)
- EG Justice
- Foundation for Internet Rights and Innovation (FIRI)
- Freedom Forum, Nepal
- Gambia Press Union (GPU)
- Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria
- Initiative for Embracing Humanity in Africa (IEHA)
- Internet Governance Tanzania Working Group (IGTWG)
- Internet Without Borders
- International Press Centre (IPC)
- International Press Institute (IPI)
- JCA-NET(Japan)
- Jonction, Senegal
- KICTANet
- Kijiji Yeetu
- Life campaign to abolish the death sentence in Kurdistan Network
- LIM NGUEN FOUNDATION [LNF]-SOUTH SUDAN
- Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA)
- Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
- Office of Civil Freedoms
- Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI)
- Organization of the Justice Campaign
- Pakistan Press Foundation
- Paradigm Initiative (PIN)
- Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
- Rudi International
- SMEX
- Tech & Media Convergency (TMC)
- Ubunteam
- West African Digital Rights Defenders Coalition
- Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)
- YODET
- Zaina Foundation
