Gabon says access to social media restored after eight-month ban

Gabon says it has lifted a ban on social media imposed eight months ago - a move that triggered widespread criticism at the time. The High Communication Authority (HAC) announced the U-turn on Saturday in a televised statement. The BBC has approached the country's media regulator for comment. The ban had been introduced on 17 February, with the HAC saying that online content was fuelling conflict and deepening divisions in the country. The move came as a shock to the central African nation of about 2.5 million people, where social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram have been particularly popular with younger people who use it for business as well as pleasure.