Gabon Strengthens Ties With France Amid Backlash

Gabon is reinforcing its relationship with France as President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema begins a three-day official visit to Paris, signalling continued cooperation despite France’s declining influence across parts of Francophone Africa.

Nguema’s visit comes as several former French partners in the Sahel have reduced ties with Paris following military coups and rising anti-French sentiment. Gabon, however, has maintained close diplomatic and economic relations with its former colonial power. The visit follows Nguema’s trip to France in May 2024 while serving as transitional president and French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Libreville in November 2025 after Nguema won the presidential election.

The leaders are expected to discuss expanding economic cooperation, with particular attention on Gabon’s mining industry. The Central African nation is one of the world’s leading producers of manganese, a mineral widely used in steel production. The government recently announced plans to end exports of raw manganese in favour of domestic processing as part of efforts to increase industrial output and add value to its natural resources.

French mining company Eramet Comilog, which operates the world’s largest manganese mine in Gabon, is also expected to feature prominently in discussions as the government advances reforms aimed at strengthening local refining capacity.

The agenda for the visit has not been fully disclosed, and no new bilateral agreements have been announced before the talks.

SOURCE: AllAfrica (RFI)