A coalition of Gabonese civil society organizations in Libreville has initiated legal proceedings, expressing strong concerns over a significant rise in cyberattacks, particularly targeting WhatsApp and Facebook accounts.

The collective has documented approximately fifty complaints from Gabonese citizens across various social strata. Their analysis indicates that the widespread adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) – primarily used to circumvent the social media suspension implemented nationwide since February 17 – appears to be a major factor contributing to these security breaches.

“The phone numbers originating these attacks frequently begin with international prefixes like +500 or +600. These are foreign indicators. Everything thus suggests that the perpetrators of these cybercrimes may not be operating from within Gabon’s borders,” explained Patrice Thérence Mezui, president of the National Human Rights League and the collective’s designated spokesperson.

This surge in cybercriminal activity, previously considered a minor issue, has dramatically escalated since the High Authority of Communication (HAC) officially suspended social media access on February 17, 2026.

“This suspension represents a direct infringement upon the nation’s Constitution, specifically violating the chapter dedicated to fundamental liberties,” Mezui firmly asserted.

He further elaborated that the Court had deemed itself without jurisdiction, classifying the contested action as administrative in nature.

The tribunal of first instance similarly declared its incompetence. Consequently, the collective has lodged a final complaint with the State Council, and we are currently awaiting their ruling, though the exact date of this filing was not disclosed.

Immediate Lifting of Social Media Suspension Demanded

The collective argues that the ongoing social media suspension directly exposes Gabonese citizens to increased cyberattack risks. They are demanding an immediate cessation of this measure, which began as temporary but has effectively become a near-permanent restriction. Furthermore, they are urging the President of the Republic to enact the recently passed parliamentary law concerning social media use. Finally, the group proposes opening negotiations on the social media issue to forge a national consensus.

The HAC had previously justified its decision by citing the necessity to combat informational disorder, cyberharassment, and the dissemination of hateful content. However, civil society groups contend that this measure is disproportionate and fundamentally contradicts the principles of a rule-of-law state.