Event Summary
On 11 March 2026, the Constitutional Court of Gabon rejected as inadmissible the complaint filed by four citizens on 23 February 2026 challenging the suspension of social media, ruling that—under Articles 114 and 115 of the Constitution—it lacked jurisdiction and referring them instead to the administrative courts. This decision effectively upheld the authority of the High Authority for Communication (HAC), which had suspended social media on 17 February 2026 to control the spread of what it labelled sensitive information, a measure already contested by the EPG association before the Libreville court, which similarly dismissed the case and redirected it to the Council of State.
By closing the door to constitutional review, the ruling strengthens HAC’s authority and leaves citizens without swift judicial remedies against digital restrictions, directly affecting the respect and protection of fundamental freedoms—particularly freedom of expression—and civil society access to the digital environment. The outcome highlights how procedural barriers limit public oversight of state-imposed digital controls and constrict the enabling environment in which civil society actors communicate, mobilize, and access information.