UN warns of impending 'digital pandemic' risk from global internet outage
via Gabon Review5 min read
A UN report warns of an impending "digital pandemic" scenario, where a global internet outage could lead to systemic consequences. The report, published on May 5, 2026, by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction UNDRR, the International Telecommunication Union ITU, and Sciences Po Paris, suggests that the probability of such an event is underestimated and the world is unprepared. A widespread internet failure could paralyze payment systems, disrupt hospitals, affect power grids, and silence emergency services. Experts indicate that failures in digital infrastructure could trigger cascading disruptions across sectors and borders, with up to 89% of impacts stemming from systemic effects rather than the initial shock. Critical scenarios include solar storms damaging satellites and power grids, extreme heat overloading data centers, and damage to undersea cables, which carry over 99% of global internet traffic. ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin highlighted the potential for widespread disruption, stating that such an outage is more probable than generally perceived. The report emphasizes modern society's increasing reliance on interconnected digital systems, which are vulnerable to natural disasters, infrastructure failures, extreme weather, space debris, and solar storms. It criticizes states for insufficient preparation, particularly for large-scale failures of satellites, power grids, or undersea cables, as well as unintentional disruptions. The authors
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Gabon is intensifying its efforts to combat hypertension and diabetes at the community level. On May 6, 2026, in Libreville, officials from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization WHO reviewed the pilot phase of a program, which included training 98 health professionals across four health departments: Komo-Mondah, Noya, Mpassa, and Woleu. The Minister of Health, Professor Elsa Joséphine Nkana Ayo épouse Bivigou, chaired a workshop to present the results of this pilot phase, which focuses on managing hypertension and diabetes in community health facilities. This initiative, supported by WHO, aims to strengthen the capacity of healthcare personnel to rapidly diagnose and treat patients. Ghislaine Akone Asseko, responsible for disease control at WHO Gabon, confirmed that four training sessions were held, and the participating health facilities received necessary equipment and medications. The program seeks to improve screening and follow-up for patients at primary and community care levels, thereby reducing cardiovascular complications, which are on the rise in Gabon. Following the successful pilot phase, health authorities plan to gradually expand the program nationwide to improve access to care for patients, especially in remote areas.
Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Angolan President João Lourenço co-chaired a signing ceremony for three cooperation agreements in Luanda on Wednesday, May 7, 2026. The agreements, signed during President Nguema's three-day state visit to Angola, cover agriculture and forestry, security and public order, and extradition. These accords aim to strengthen bilateral relations between the two Central African nations, with a focus on diversifying economies and enhancing strategic partnerships in sectors such as oil, tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure. President Lourenço noted that relations between Libreville and Luanda have not yet reached their desired level, advocating for accelerated joint projects and the upcoming third session of the bilateral Joint Commission in Luanda. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability and African integration, discussing cooperation within the Economic Community of Central African States ECCAS and the Gulf of Guinea Commission, as well as the African Union's Agenda 2063. President Nguema's visit includes economic and military engagements, such as a tour of the Luanda refinery and the Angolan Armed Forces' Higher War School, and a business forum.
Must ReadBGFI Holding Corporation, the parent company of BGFIBank Group, officially listed on the Central African Securities Exchange BVMAC on May 7, marking its first official quotation on the unified financial market of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa CEMAC. This initial public offering IPO represents a new growth phase for the Gabonese banking group, aiming to strengthen its role in financing economies, particularly in Central Africa. The IPO, which involved 10% of BGFI Holding Corporation's share capital, raised 45.3 billion CFA francs from 7,601 investors across 24 countries, achieving a subscription rate of 136%. Individual investors accounted for 71% of subscribers, indicating growing financial literacy in the CEMAC region. For BVMAC, this listing is significant as it addresses the exchange's historical liquidity deficit and limited number of listed companies. BGFI Holding is the first multinational to join the regional exchange's equity compartment, sending a strong signal to other large companies in the zone. The operation also demonstrates the regional financial market's capacity to host major fundraising under the supervision of the Central African Financial Market Supervisory Commission COSUMAF. This move aligns with the Bank of Central African States' BEAC broader effort to promote local currency financing and reduce the sub-region's reliance on external capital. By opening its capital to the public, BGFIBank Group aims to make regional savings a dri
Must ReadMembers of Gabon's National Commission on the border dispute with Equatorial Guinea met on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Constitutional Court. The meeting, chaired by Dieudonné Aba’a Owono, Vice-President of the Government, and attended by Hermann Immongault, Vice-President of the Government, reaffirmed Gabon's commitment to a negotiated and mutually beneficial resolution for the sensitive issue of Mbanié Island and neighboring islets. This diplomatic process, supported by the African Union, aims to achieve a lasting consensus between Libreville and Malabo. The meeting followed an audience granted by the President of the Republic to Albert Shingiro, the African Union's special envoy, appointed in March to assist both states in implementing the International Court of Justice's ruling from May 19, 2025. Participants reviewed the progress of the case and examined the African Union's mechanisms for preventing and peacefully resolving border disputes. Libreville intends to continue a diplomatic approach emphasizing bilateral dialogue and seeking an acceptable compromise for both parties. Despite the sensitivity of the matter, the National Commission maintains cautious optimism. Gabonese authorities highlight the historical and fraternal relations between Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, stressing the need to preserve sub-regional stability. The objective is to develop a crisis resolution proposal that satisfies both Libreville and Malabo, in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect