Gabon’s Authoritarian Slip Backwards

Gabon, a central African country with an oil-rich economy and a population of nearly 2.5 million people, has taken a concerning step backwards in its human rights record. The government’s crackdown on social media and dissent is a stark reminder that the new regime under General Brice Oligui Nguema may not be as different from his predecessors as he claimed to be.

The shutdown of major social media platforms in February was a masterclass in collective punishment, targeting citizens who were exercising their fundamental right to free expression. The government’s justification – citing security concerns and the spread of misinformation – is a thinly veiled attempt to suppress dissenting voices. Rights groups have pointed out that such restrictions are unconstitutional and violate the freedom of expression and access to information.

The government has taken an unprecedented step by forcing social media users to provide verified names, addresses, and ID numbers, effectively rendering anonymity a luxury only the privileged can afford. This new regulation is part of a broader effort to codify a crackdown on dissent, including a controversial nationality code signed in February.

As former activist Nelly Ngabima noted, Gabonese people are now too afraid to even send WhatsApp messages, let alone express themselves freely online. The country’s well-documented history of cracking down on dissent is a worrying trend that shows no signs of abating. In fact, the new regime appears to be using the same draconian methods as its predecessors to suppress opposition.

Gabon has been down this road before. In August 2023, the internet was shut down just before a disputed election, and in 2019, social media platforms were blocked during anti-government protests. The government’s response to dissent has always been heavy-handed, but it seems that the new regime is taking things to a whole new level.

The implications of this are far-reaching. With nearly a third of the population living in deep poverty and nepotism and corruption rife, the government’s actions are likely to exacerbate these problems. The country’s economy, which relies heavily on oil exports, is also facing a severe crisis of legitimacy.

Ngabima pointed out that “nothing has changed” under the new regime. Despite its claims of reform, the government’s actions suggest it is business as usual. This raises questions about the legitimacy of the 2025 presidential election, which saw General Oligui Nguema win with a landslide majority.

The international community needs to take a more active role in supporting Gabon’s democratic transition. The European Union and other Western countries have been vocal in their criticism of the government’s actions, but what concrete steps are they taking to support human rights activists and opposition groups? As Ngabima warned, “You cannot remove Mr Ali Bongo because you condemned certain behaviours and then arrive and reproduce the same.”

The time has come for the international community to take a firmer stance on Gabon’s authoritarianism. The country needs support and pressure from outside to reform its human rights record and truly democratize its politics.

Gabon stands at a crossroads, with two paths laid out before it. One path leads to further authoritarianism and repression, while the other offers a chance for true democratization and progress. The choice is not just Gabon’s; it belongs to all of us who care about human rights and democracy.

As General Oligui Nguema and his government continue down this path of repression, we must ask ourselves: what kind of country do they want to build? A country where dissent is crushed, or one where free expression is cherished?

The answer will determine Gabon’s future – and our own.