GABON (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Mutinous soldiers in Gabon say they have ousted the president whose family has ruled for 55 years.

• In his first public appearance since the coup attempt, President Ali Bongo Ondimba called on people to ‘make noise’ to support him.

Key Points 

• Gabon experiences a recent attempted coup, joining a series of coup attempts in Africa.
• This potential coup marks the eighth instance in West and Central Africa since 2020.
• Notable recent coups have occurred in Niger, Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Chad, the most recent being in July.
• The prevalence of coups jeopardizes the progress of democratization achieved by the continent over the last twenty years.
• Behind the Issues: Corruption, mismanagement, and poverty.

Gabon

• Location: The Republic of Gabon is positioned at the Equator in West-Central Africa, adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Borders: It shares borders with Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to the north, and the Republic of the Congo to the east and south.
• Colonial Legacy: Previously a French colony, Gabon maintains strong connections to France, the French language, and culture.
• Independence: On August 17, 1960, Gabon gained independence from France.
• International Affiliations: Gabon holds memberships in the United Nations, the African Union, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).