While France sees its influence declining in some regions of the African continent, Emmanuel Macron wants to make Gabon one of the rare hotspots where diplomacy and economic interests remain aligned. The head of state, on a tour of Africa, was to meet with President Brice Oligui Nguema, the architect of the coup that ended the Bongo dynasty.
Paris heard” welcome the completion of the transition ” And ” maintain » new authority, says Élysée. Libreville awakens” very updated dynamics ”, with dialogue” same with same “. In contrast to the Sahel, where a coup led to a break in relations with Paris, Gabon chose to maintain its ties with France.
“ The new president is more Francophile than his predecessor Ali Bongo », underlines François Gaulme, expert at Ifri. An important signal for a country where French companies are still very well established: hydrocarbons, mining, timber and infrastructure. With a GDP per capita of $8,820 in 2022, Gabon is one of the richest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, although a third of its population still lives below the poverty line.
