French President praises Gabonese President’s leadership during his visit to the country
French President Emmanuel Macron has praises Gabonese President General Brice Oligui Gamema, saying that “August 30, 2023 (the date of the military coup against Ali Bongo Ondimba) was a turning point in Gabon’s political history”.
Macron’s speech during his first visit to Gabon since the military coup against Bongo, Nguema said: “You’ve opened a new era of renewal, inclusiveness and pluralism that our countries deeply share”.
“France will be present in its right place, in the place of a friend who can help you succeed in a spirit of respect,” Macron said, pledging mutually beneficial partnerships.
General Olegy Nguema, who was elected in April after a 19-month transition period, said the shared future between his country and France necessarily depends on the elimination of the rentier economy, calling for judicial cooperation from the French side to help Gabon recover the financial assets embezzled by former President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
He urged French companies to lead by example, criticizing the French mining group Eramet, calling on Macron to ensure that they meet their commitments.
Within the framework of Franco-Gabonese cooperation, the French Development Agency announced a loan of €173 million and a grant of €30 million from the European funds for the rehabilitation of the Trans-Gabon Railway Line, the country’s only railway line, which is vital for the transport of manganese metal.
After taking office, Nguema renewed the defense partnership with France for two years, while Paris reduced its military presence in Gabon to about 100 troops instead of the 1,200 that were in the country.
Macron has been on an African tour for the past few days, starting in Mauritius, and then visiting South Africa, where he participated in the G20 summit, with Gabon being the third stop, and Angola the last stop, where the French president is participating in the work of the Euro-African summit.
