The Art of Gabonese Diplomacy: Glorious Past, Uncertain Present, Future to Build

Gabon, despite its small demographic size, has occupied a significant diplomatic position in Africa and on the international stage, mainly due to its relative stability, its wealth of natural resources (particularly oil), and its strategic alignment with France. Gabon operates as a republic, with the president serving a seven-year term that can be renewed one time. Before 2024, there were no limits on the number of terms a president could serve. To date, Gabon has had only 4 presidents. The first three are considered to be authoritarian leaders because the first two came to power with the help of the former French colonial power and the third took power following the death of his father. Only the last president seems to have been democratically elected, although some voices are raised because he was a general during the coup d'état, president of the transition following the military takeover, and the only member of the transitional government able to stand in the elections(1,2,3,4,7).

It is in this context that I shall attempt to paint a picture of Gabonese diplomacy from 1960 to the present day, focusing on the African scene.

Léon Mba: The Pioneer

Seen by some as the father of independence, by others as a president at the mercy of the French, Gabon's first president, Léon Mba, had a rather timid diplomatic strategy. From the moment of its independence, Gabon remained close to France, and Léon Mba established a relationship of dependence with the former colonial power. Gabonese diplomacy was closely aligned with French positions, without any real autonomy. From 1960 to 1967, Gabon acted primarily as a relay for French interests in Central Africa(3,5).

Gabon under Omar Bongo: The Rise of a Discreet Mediator at the Heart of African Diplomacy

From 1967 to 2009, Omar Bongo reigned unchallenged over Gabon, shaping not only his country's political trajectory but also its place on the continental and international diplomatic chessboard. Under his leadership, Libreville has become a key player in African diplomacy, often in the shadows but always at the heart of discussions(1,4).

A major strategic ally of France in Africa, Bongo maintained close relations with Paris, to the point of being perceived as one of the African heads of state closest to the Élysée Palace. (6) This special relationship strengthened Gabon's role in resolving regional conflicts, whether in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, or the Central African Republic. Libreville has established itself as a mediation capital, hosting peace negotiations on crises as complex as the Angolan conflict and tensions in the Central African Republic(4,10).

As an active member of the Organisation of African Unity and then the African Union, Gabon has never aspired to assertive leadership but has played a respected role as a moderator.

This conciliatory stance earned Omar Bongo the nickname of "Africa's wise man", in reference to his political longevity and his art of backroom diplomacy(4,11).

On the international stage, the country has also distinguished itself by its assiduous participation in numerous multilateral bodies - UN, Francophonie, OPEC - and has sat on the UN Security Council on several occasions, notably in 1998-1999 as a non-permanent member. With its exceptional biodiversity, Gabon has also hosted several international summits on the environment and forests, consolidating its reputation as a reliable partner on climate issues(4,10).

Within the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), Gabon plays a key role as both a regional hub and a diplomatic platform. Discreet but steadfast, the country has established itself under Bongo as a quiet force in African diplomacy. The stability of the Gabonese regime - authoritarian but non-confrontational - has enabled Bongo to play the role of referee in an Africa marked by civil wars and brutal transitions. This third-party role was valued by the Western powers, who saw Bongo as a reliable partner for containing regional tensions, particularly during the Cold War and the post-Cold War period(4).

Under Ali Bongo, Ambitious but Uneven Diplomacy

When he came to power in 2009 after the death of his father, Ali Bongo promised a new approach to diplomacy(1). He sought to diversify his partnerships, breaking with the Franco-Gabonese hegemony. China, Morocco, Türkiye, Norway, and the Gulf States are becoming key allies. Joining the Commonwealth in 2022 symbolically marks this desire for emancipation(7).

Ali Bongo has focused his diplomatic strategy on the ecology and geographical realities of Gabon, positioning himself as a climate leader. Thanks to its vast forest cover, the country became a respected partner in international climate negotiations, took an active part in the COPs, and hosted several environmental summits.

At the multilateral level, Libreville was strengthening its presence, through its return to the UN Security Council and involvement in the African Union, La Francophonie, and ECCAS. However, this diplomacy remained more technical than political(10).

Ali Bongo has never played the role of "peacemaker" like his father. Less in demand as a regional mediator, his influence in Africa remains limited. Internal crises, notably the post-election violence in 2016 - Where Ali Bongo was only able to win by a narrow margin thanks to widely disputed results. The fraud sparked protests, which were put down by the security forces. Despite requests from the opposition and the European Union, the recount was conducted without transparency. The Constitutional Court, perceived as a supporter of the regime, refused access to observers and validated Bongo's victory by an even more comfortable margin- and the coup d'état in 2023, has weakened the country's image(9).

Photo by Q L via Pexels

Despite improvements in its international visibility, Gabon has not regained the diplomatic influence it once had under Omar Bongo. Although modernization has occurred, there has been no significant continental leadership, and Ali Bongo has not established himself as a peacemaker in the way his father did.

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, The Builder?

Following the coup d'état in 2023, the international scene remains timid. The sanctions taken by the African Union remain light since the latter has only applied its protocol on unconstitutional changes of government. The Economic Community of Central African States simply called for respect for human rights and a peaceful transition(12).

The European Union expressed its concerns while recognizing the context of electoral manipulation that preceded the coup. The United States also took a cautious stance, temporarily suspending certain military cooperation programs and urging a swift transition to an elected civilian government. However, neither the EU nor the USA imposed any economic sanctions(13,14).

Although Gabon was suspended from regional bodies, it escaped major economic or diplomatic sanctions. International partners have favoured a cautious approach, relying on the commitment of the military to organise a democratic transition. The fate of future relations will depend on the transition timetable and its credibility. However, the ball is now in the hands of the new Gabonese president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema(12).

The latter wishes to preserve Gabon's diplomatic capital while repositioning it as a sovereign and renewed State, capable of speaking as an equal with its partners.

His approach is one of appeasement and stability, to avoid international isolation. In the short term, his strategy seems to be bearing fruit, since at the time of writing, several dozen heads of state and national and regional representatives have attended his inauguration ceremony, underlining the international support for Gabon's democratic transition(8,9).

Let us now hope that this democratic transition will be a long-term one in a nation that has always been regarded as peaceful. But only time will tell.

Conclusion

Given the current situation in Central Africa, it's important for Gabon to resume its role as a third party in regional conflicts. The work that President Oligui and his government will have to do will be a fundamental one, capitalising on Gabon's stability. Although Gabon has never experienced democracy, it is one of the few African countries never to have experienced civil war and one of the few never to have experienced widespread bloodshed, even during the coup d'état in 2023.

The stability and pacifism of the Gabonese people can be a strength when it comes to repositioning themselves diplomatically. For the moment, Gabon is setting an example in terms of political transition and governance.

If the transition is carried out seriously, Gabon could become a model of reform in Central Africa.

This culture of calm and stability is a major asset that Gabon possesses and on which tomorrow's peace should be built. All this could lead foreign powers to reconsider Gabon as a reliable ally and could enable it to once again become a regional diplomatic powerhouse.

References

1- Bernault, F. et Tonda, J. (2009). Le Gabon : une dystopie tropicale. Politique africaine, 115(3), 7-26.

2- Debain, M. (2009). Chronique d'une victoire assurée Retour sur la campagne présidentielle de 2009 au Gabon. Politique africaine, 115(3), 27-46.

3- Durand, P.-M. (2007). L'Afrique et les relations franco-américaines des années soixante (554 p.). L'Harmattan.

4- M’Bokolo, E. (2009). Médiations africaines : Omar Bongo et les défis diplomatiques d’un continent. L’Archipel.

5- N'Solé Biteghe, M. (1990). Échec aux militaires au Gabon en 1964 (159 p.). Éditions Chaka. (Coll. « Afrique contemporaine »).

6- Tonda, J. (2009). Omar Bongo Ondimba, paradigme du pouvoir postcolonial. Politique africaine, 114(2), 126-137.

7- Yates, D.  (2020, December 17). The History of Gabon. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of African History.

8- Zhuang, R. (2025). Power, Patronage, and Reform: The Bongo Family’s Rule and Gabon’s Political Transition. Journal of Asian & African Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.), 1.

9- CIVICUS LENS. Accessed on 7 May 2025 : https://lens.civicus.org/gabon-the-end-of-a-dictatorship-and-the-beginning-of-another/

10- U.S. Department of State diplomacy in action. Accessed on 13 May 2025: https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/gabon/125576.htm

11- Jeune Afrique Accessed on 10 May 2025 : https://www.jeuneafrique.com/159876/politique/omar-bongo-un-sage-de-l-afrique-souvent-critiqu/

12- ECCAS Accessed on 11 May 2025 : https://ceeac-eccas.org/2024/05/20/plaidoyer-du-president-de-la-commission-de-la-ceeac-aupres-de-lunion-africaine-pour-que-soient-revisitees-les-sanctions-imposees-sur-le-gabon/

13- Africanews Accessed on 11 May 2025 : https://www.africanews.com/2023/10/24/us-suspends-all-aid-to-gabon-in-response-to-coup-detat/

14- European Union External Action Accessed on 11 May : https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/gabon-d%C3%A9claration-du-haut-repr%C3%A9sentant-josep-borrell-suite-aux-%C3%A9v%C3%A8nements-dans-le-pays_und_en

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