Teachers' strike in Gabon

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 29
SUMMARY

The Gabonese government initiated a fast-track review on April 8, 2026, to address administrative and pay backlogs affecting approximately 3,000 teachers who have been on strike since December 2025. As of April 8, 2026, the Ministry of Education's budget has increased to 272.15 billion CFA francs (approximately $484 million) to support system upgrades and improve working environments. The strike, which expanded in February 2026 to include healthcare, higher education, and broadcasting sectors, led the government to suspend social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok, citing national security concerns and the need to curb unrest. Teachers' demands include an end to a decade-long wage freeze, resolution of career grievances, and the release of jailed union members, with teachers having voted to extend their strike on January 31, 2026, rejecting earlier government concessions.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 1 developments

  1. The Gabonese government has initiated a fast-track review to address administrative and pay backlogs affecting approximately 3,000 teachers on strike since December 2025.

    The Gabonese government has initiated a fast-track review to address administrative and pay backlogs affecting approximately 3,000 teachers on strike since December 2025. The Ministry of Education's 2026 budget has been increased to 272.15 billion CFA francs (approximately $484 million) to support system upgrades and improve working environments.

February 2026 — 6 developments

  1. The teachers' strike in Gabon has reportedly expanded to include the healthcare, higher education, and broadcasting sectors.

    The teachers' strike in Gabon has reportedly expanded to include the healthcare, higher education, and broadcasting sectors. The government has suspended social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp to curb unrest stemming from the ongoing strike over pay and working conditions.

  2. Thousands of teachers in Gabon continue a nationwide strike, now in its sixth week, protesting a decade-long wage freeze and unresolved career grievances.

    Thousands of teachers in Gabon continue a nationwide strike, now in its sixth week, protesting a decade-long wage freeze and unresolved career grievances. Teachers are also demanding the release of two union members jailed for supporting the strike. In response to rising social tensions, the Gabonese government has indefinitely suspended social media platforms, citing the need to counter the spread of false information.

  3. The Gabonese government has suspended access to social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, citing national security concerns amid ongoing anti-government protests.

    The Gabonese government has suspended access to social media platforms, including Facebook and TikTok, citing national security concerns amid ongoing anti-government protests. This action, taken during a teachers' strike that began in December 2025, has been described by opposition figures as imposing a "climate of fear and repression."

  6. The Ministry of National Education has adjusted the school calendar due to the ongoing teachers' strike.

    The Ministry of National Education has adjusted the school calendar due to the ongoing teachers' strike. The Gabonese government announced a series of quantified measures and an implementation schedule starting end of February 2026 to resolve the strike, including the lifting of the administrative freeze.

January 2026 — 18 developments

  1. Gabonese public school teachers voted unanimously on January 31 to extend their strike, rejecting government concessions and keeping classrooms shut.

    Gabonese public school teachers voted unanimously on January 31 to extend their strike, rejecting government concessions and keeping classrooms shut. The teachers' collective "SOS Education" stated that the release of two detained union leaders did not meet their demands.

  2. The SOS Éducation la Base collective has demanded the publication of a list of 4,000 individuals whose administrative situations need to be regularized.

    The SOS Éducation la Base collective has demanded the publication of a list of 4,000 individuals whose administrative situations need to be regularized. This demand follows the recent memorandum of understanding signed to end the teachers' strike.

  3. A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the government and the SOS Éducation la Base c…

    A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the government and the SOS Éducation la Base collective, leading to calls for teachers to prepare for a possible return to classrooms. This indicates meaningful progress in negotiations to end the strike.

  4. The teachers' strike continues to paralyze public schools and universities across Gabon, with ongoing negotiations failing to yield concrete results.

    The teachers' strike continues to paralyze public schools and universities across Gabon, with ongoing negotiations failing to yield concrete results. Classrooms remain largely empty, and the government urges teachers to return to work while discussions proceed.

  6. The teachers' strike in Gabon has been ongoing since December, marking the first major test for President Oligui Nguema.

    The teachers' strike in Gabon has been ongoing since December, marking the first major test for President Oligui Nguema. Other civil servants in health, higher education, and state broadcasting sectors are now also threatening industrial action.

  7. The government acknowledges the "legitimate" nature of the teachers' demands, attributing them to decades of past mismanagement.

    The government acknowledges the "legitimate" nature of the teachers' demands, attributing them to decades of past mismanagement. Despite this, two union members are arrested, and the education ministry's budget is substantially increased for 2026.

  8. Africanews reports that the strike has been ongoing for six weeks, representing the first major social unrest under President Brice Oligui Nguema's transitional government.

    Africanews reports that the strike has been ongoing for six weeks, representing the first major social unrest under President Brice Oligui Nguema's transitional government. Teachers reiterate their demand for the release of two imprisoned union members as a prerequisite for negotiations.

  10. Two Gabonese union leaders, Marcel Libama and Simon Ndong Edzo, were arrested on January 19 and 20, …

    Two Gabonese union leaders, Marcel Libama and Simon Ndong Edzo, were arrested on January 19 and 20, 2026, escalating tensions during an ongoing teachers' strike that began in December 2025. The arrests have heightened concerns within civil society, as many educational institutions remain deserted with teachers refusing to return to work until their demands are met.

  11. Fears intensify regarding a "blank academic year" (année blanche) due to the ongoing paralysis of th…

    Fears intensify regarding a "blank academic year" (année blanche) due to the ongoing paralysis of the education system, placing parents in a difficult position between supporting teachers and worrying about their children's academic future.

  12. Teachers vote to extend their strike, defying government calls for a resumption of classes and empha…

    Teachers vote to extend their strike, defying government calls for a resumption of classes and emphasizing that the decision to end the industrial action rests solely with the union. The Ministry of National Education's efforts to encourage school attendance prove largely ineffective.

  13. A tripartite meeting was held on January 13, 2026, reportedly offering hope for a resolution to the teachers' strike.

    A tripartite meeting was held on January 13, 2026, reportedly offering hope for a resolution to the teachers' strike. Despite the ongoing industrial action, some educators have continued to conduct classes.

  14. Teachers are reportedly angered by a 10-year wage freeze, and other civil servants are threatening similar strike action.

    Teachers are reportedly angered by a 10-year wage freeze, and other civil servants are threatening similar strike action. In response, the Gabonese government initiated a fast-track review on January 13, 2026, to address administrative and pay backlogs for approximately 3,000 teachers after recent talks with union representatives.

  15. The prolonged strike severely impacts students and parents, leading to growing public concern about a potentially compromised academic year.

    The prolonged strike severely impacts students and parents, leading to growing public concern about a potentially compromised academic year. SOS Education also demands the release of its members as a precondition for negotiations.

  16. Reports highlight the deep historical roots of teacher grievances in Gabon, with similar demands for…

    Reports highlight the deep historical roots of teacher grievances in Gabon, with similar demands for improved living conditions and administrative regularization dating back to 1990, underscoring the systemic nature of the issues.

  17. The Gabonese government, through the Vice-President, begins high-level meetings with education, publ…

    The Gabonese government, through the Vice-President, begins high-level meetings with education, public service, and budget ministers to address the crisis and teachers' demands, while appealing for a return to classes.

  18. The teachers' strike, now formally led by the platform SOS Education, significantly escalates, causi…

    The teachers' strike, now formally led by the platform SOS Education, significantly escalates, causing widespread paralysis of the national education system as teachers reject initial government offers like "blue cards" for post allocations.