Gabon’s government has opened negotiations with tech giants Meta and TikTok after imposing a sweeping suspension of social media platforms that has drawn sharp criticism from civil society and digital rights advocates.

The talks, led by the communication ministry and the country’s media regulator, follow a nationwide blackout on major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok. Authorities accuse the companies of failing to curb what they describe as a surge in defamatory, violent and pornographic content that risks fuelling social tensions.

Deputy presidency spokeswoman Jennyfer Melodie Sambat said officials had repeatedly warned platforms about problematic posts but saw little meaningful response. She called it inconceivable that, after numerous alerts from the government, the companies did not take stronger action to moderate content targeting Gabonese users.

The regulator’s decision has effectively cut off a primary channel of communication for millions of people, disrupting everything from political debate and activism to small businesses that rely on social media for marketing and sales.

TikTok has moved quickly to limit the fallout, reaching out to Gabon’s media regulator to signal what local outlets describe as a shared commitment to maintaining a safe digital environment that respects the rights of Gabonese citizens. The company is understood to be discussing enhanced moderation tools, local partnerships and clearer escalation channels for government complaints.

Meta has not publicly detailed its position, but officials in Libreville say they expect the company to present concrete proposals on how it will respond to government concerns while preserving users’ rights to information and expression.

Opposition figures, lawyers and human rights groups have condemned the suspension as disproportionate and unconstitutional, arguing that the government is using the pretext of harmful content to tighten control over public discourse. They warn that the blackout undermines transparency and could further erode trust in state institutions.

Despite the ban, many Gabonese are finding ways around the restrictions. VPN provider Proton has reported an explosive surge in downloads from the country, suggesting that large numbers of users are bypassing official blocks to stay connected to global platforms.

Authorities insist the measure is temporary, describing it as a suspension pending better regulation. The outcome of the talks with Meta and TikTok will likely determine how quickly, and under what conditions, Gabon’s digital public square is reopened.