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A man wearing a Gabonise flag hugs a soldier on the street of Port Gentil as others smile
Image: Desirey Minkoh/Afrikimages/IMAGOImage: Desirey Minkoh/Afrikimages/IMAGO

Gabon

The Gabonese military has seized power and deposed the country's longtime president, Ali Bongo Ondimba. His family had ruled Gabon for more than half a century.

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All Content on this topic

Woman places ballot in ballot pox at polling station while electoral official holds box in Libreville, Gabon

Gabon votes 'yes' to new constitution

The text introduces term limits and stipulates that family members cannot succeed a president.
PoliticsNovember 18, 2024
A crowd of people, one carries a ballot box

Gabon votes on post-coup constitutional referendum

Many experts have said if the referendum is free and fair, it will mark the start of Gabon's return to civilian rule.
PoliticsNovember 15, 2024
Gabon's interim President General Brice Oligui Nguema (R) salutes

Gabon moves towards democracy one year after coup

The new junta had promised a swift return to constitutional order, sparking hope that the worst was behind, but is it?
PoliticsAugust 30, 2024
The ECCAS office in Gabon's capital, Libreville

Gabon military junta announces elections to be held in 2025

Military leaders ousted former President Ali Bongo in August after disputing the outcome of an election.
PoliticsNovember 13, 2023
Gabun | General Brice Oligui Nguema

The Flip Side: The coup in Gabon

General Brice Oligui Nguema was recently sworn in as Gabon's interim president following a coup.
PoliticsSeptember 11, 202302:49 min
GABON-COUP

AfricaLink on Air - 07 September 2023

UN offers to support Gabon's transition to civilian rule+++Female activists in Rwanda seek a review of divorce law
PoliticsSeptember 7, 202330:00 min
Raymond Ndong Sima the presidential election at the Alternance 2023 √ Rio platform meeting, a popular district of Libreville, on August 17, 2023.

Gabon military junta appoints interim prime minister

Raymond Ndong Sima was a prominent opponent to ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba.
PoliticsSeptember 7, 2023
Gabonese celebrate the recent coup

Africa's wave of coups stokes fears among autocrats

The coups in Gabon and Niger have raised concerns among other African presidents who fear a threat to their power.
PoliticsSeptember 7, 2023
Afrika I Symbolbild Gabun

Explainer: What is ECCAS?

Here is all you need to know about the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
PoliticsSeptember 7, 202301:35 min
Frankreich Gabun Fahne Flagge

Economic ties between Gabon and France

As a former French colony, Gabon's state structures are based on France and the two economies are closely linked.
BusinessSeptember 5, 202301:37 min
Gabon coup leader General Brice Oligui Nguema pictured at his swearing in ceremony

Gabon coup leader sworn in as interim leader

Officer who led Gabon's coup has been sworn in as interim leader and vowed to restore civilian rule.
PoliticsSeptember 4, 2023
File photo of General Brice Oligui Nguema

Gabon coup leader says he will not rush election

Despite growing pressure, military leaders in Gabon refuse to provide a timeline for a return to civilian rule.
PoliticsSeptember 2, 202302:51 min
Head of Gabon's elite Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema

Gabon coup leader vows democracy but says it will take time

The general behind this week's post-election coup said the "temporary" situation aimed to make Gabon "more democratic."
PoliticsSeptember 2, 2023
Head of Gabon's elite Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema

Pressure mounts on Gabon junta to relinquish power

Gabon's opposition leader has alleged that the ousted president's family arranged the coup to retain power.
PoliticsSeptember 1, 202330:00 min

AfricaLink on Air - 31 August 2023

Who is Gabon's new interim leader General Brice Nguema? +++ Cameroon's President Paul Biya reshuffles military chiefs
PoliticsAugust 31, 202329:59 min
Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba sitting in his residence in Libreville, Gabon

Gabon: Coup ousting President Ali Bongo wasn't a suprise

Despite his family's vast wealth and influence, Ali Bongo's grip on power had weakened in the past years.
PoliticsAugust 31, 2023
Omar Bongo, in dark sunglasses and with a moustache, holds his left hand in a v shape on his chine

Gabon: Who is the Bongo family?

The Bongo family has ruled Gabon for nearly six decades accumulating enormous wealth and power.
PoliticsAugust 31, 202301:18 min
This video grab taken from Gabon 24 on August 30, 2023 shows Gabonese soldiers carrying General Brice Oligui Nguema, head of the presidential guard of ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba

African Union suspends Gabon after military coup

The military leaders said strongman Brice Oligui Nguema would be sworn in next week as "transitional president."
PoliticsAugust 31, 2023
Public Security officers patrol in their vehicle as supporters of the military administration gather in a street

Army stages coup in Gabon

Senior officers intervened minutes after President Ali Bongo Ondimba was declared winner of Saturday's disputed vote.
PoliticsAugust 30, 202302:33 min
A person embraces a soldier following a military coup in Libreville, Gabon

Gabon: Military seizes power after reelection of Ali Bongo

The coup leaders have named General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema transitional president.
PoliticsAugust 30, 2023
Residents of Libreville applaud members of the security forces after a group of Gabonese military officers appeared on television announcing they were "putting an end to the current regime."

Military officers declare a coup in Gabon

Military officers claiming to represent all of Gabon's security and defense forces say they have seized power.
PoliticsAugust 30, 202301:40 min
A group of men wearning military uniforms stand solemnly in a row as a spokesperson speaks into a microphone

Why ex-French colonies in Africa seem beset by coups

Many former French colonies in Africa are fast gaining notoriety for military coups.
PoliticsAugust 30, 2023
President Ali Bongo Ondimba

Gabon cuts internet, imposes curfew after elections

Gabon's government has said it is imposing a curfew and disabling the internet as its general election draws to a close.
PoliticsAugust 26, 2023
Women wave and smile at Gabon's president, Ali Bongo, as he walks past

Gabon election: Ali Bongo hoped to extend family's rule

The Bongo family has ruled Gabon for more than 50 years. The presidential election wasn't expected to change that.
PoliticsAugust 25, 2023
French troops in Mali, 2021

France will reorganize military bases in Africa, says Macron

Ahead of his trip to Africa, Macron outlined plans for a "noticeable reduction" in French troops on the continent.
PoliticsFebruary 27, 2023
Gabon's Minister of Foreign Affairs Michael Moussa Adamo

Gabon's foreign minister dies after heart attack

Michael Moussa Adamo suffered a heart attack ahead of a cabinet meeting.
PoliticsJanuary 20, 2023
DW Videostill | Pygmäen in Gabun

Gabon's pygmies claim ethnic discrimination

Nearly 800 kilometers from Libreville, Gabon, Pygmy people in Malondo town say they are victims of discrimination.
Human RightsJanuary 12, 202301:14 min
Eco Africa-Sendung 19.08.2022

Using technology to calm human-elephant conflicts

In Gabon, solar-powered electric fences are being used in the dense tropical forest to keep elephants away from crops.
Nature and EnvironmentAugust 19, 202203:32 min
Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta holds papers and microphone during a speech

Pandora Papers expose African leaders' offshore secrets

Kenya's President Kenyatta and Ali Bongo of Gabon are among the African leaders named for hiding assets in tax havens.
PoliticsOctober 4, 2021