The High Authority of Communication (HAC) in Gabon has delivered a significant blow to media freedom, suspending the news website Info 241 indefinitely. This decisive action stems from a contentious article published by the online portal.

At the heart of the controversy is a piece titled: « Lanlaire balance sur Oligui: 150 000 € offerts, vidéos compromettantes, bisexualité, 20 milliards dilapidés… ». This article features allegations made by Lanlaire, whose real name is Anges Landry Mbeng, a Gabonese influencer residing in France.

The HAC asserts that Info 241’s publication reproduced « propos injurieux, scandaleux et d’une rare virulence sur la personne du président de la République et sa famille », translating to

By Ousmane Tandja — Senior correspondent