While Niger's political unrest had yet to settle, another Central African nation, Gabon, experienced a coup on August 30. President Bongo, who has been in power since 2009, was placed under house arrest. The military, under the banner of the "Transition and Restoration Committee," announced their takeover.
This marks the eighth coup in Central and West Africa since 2020. Unlike Niger, Gabon does not face threats from terrorist organizations. It's a major African producer of oil, manganese, and timber and is a member of OPEC. Compared to other Central African nations, Gabon is relatively wealthy, boasting a GDP per capita of $8,975.
Like Niger, Gabon was once a French colony and falls within France's sphere of influence. France has several hundred troops stationed in Gabon, and over a hundred French companies operate there, spanning sectors like oil, mining, agriculture, food, and electronics. The French mining giant, Eramet Group, employs 8,000 people in Gabon.
Since 2020, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Niger-all former French colonies-have experienced coups. With the political shift in Gabon, France's influence in Africa is set to diminish further. Senior EU officials have acknowledged the coup attempt in Gabon as a "major issue" for Europe.
Like many African nations, Gabon maintains close economic ties with China. For nine consecutive years, China has been Gabon's largest trading partner. The two countries announced a comprehensive strategic partnership in April of this year.
Oil Production Remains Steady
Gabon, an OPEC member, produces 190,000 barrels of oil per day, making it one of the smallest producers in the organization. Although Gabon isn't a major oil player, the coup has influenced international oil prices.
On August 30, Brent crude oil futures for October delivery closed at $85.86 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, up 0.43%. WTI crude for October delivery rose by 0.58%, closing at $81.63 per barrel.
As of now, there are no signs of disruption in Gabon's oil production. Assala Energy, a subsidiary of Carlyle Group, stated on Wednesday that all its employees in Gabon are safe and oil production continues as usual.
French energy giant Total said that after the coup in Gabon, they are taking measures to ensure the safety of their employees and oil production. Total operates seven oil fields in Gabon and has gas stations throughout the country. UK's Tullow Oil also stated that the coup has not affected their operations in Gabon.
Gabon, with an area of 268,000 square kilometers and a population of 2.2 million, is considered small in Africa. However, it's rich in natural resources, with proven oil reserves of about 2 billion barrels. It holds manganese reserves of 200 million tons, accounting for a quarter of the world's known reserves. Its niobium reserves stand at around 400,000 tons, making up 5% of the global total.
Other minerals found in Gabon include iron ore, gold, chromium, and zinc. The country also boasts a forest cover of 85%. Oil, mining, and forestry are the main pillars of Gabon's economy. It's the world's second-largest producer of manganese, after South Africa. Manganese is a crucial ingredient in steel production and is also used in the chemical industry and for manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Eramet Group announced a temporary halt to all its operations in Gabon, including railway transportation, to ensure the safety of its employees. Eramet mines manganese in Gabon and is one of the largest multinational companies operating in the country, employing 8,000 locals. Nearly 90% of Gabon's manganese is mined by Eramet. Following the coup, Eramet's stock price in France dropped by 22%. However, on Wednesday evening, Eramet announced plans to resume manganese production in Gabon, along with railway transportation.
France has been deeply involved in Gabon's economy and remains its largest source of imports. Last year, France's exports to Gabon were the highest among the countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.
According to the French Council of Investors in Africa, over 80 French companies are registered in Gabon. Including smaller businesses like restaurants, insurance, and financial services, the total number of French companies in Gabon exceeds 100.
During the colonial era, France introduced the CFA franc in Africa. This currency includes two versions: one for the West African Economic and Monetary Union and another for the Central African Economic and Monetary Community. Currently, 14 countries in West and Central Africa still use the CFA franc, which is pegged to the euro, limiting these countries' monetary policy autonomy. Gabon is one of these 14 countries.
While maintaining traditional ties with France, Gabon has strengthened its economic relations with China in recent years. China is Gabon's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $4.55 billion last year, a year-on-year increase of 50.8%. Of this, China's imports amounted to $3.97 billion, mainly consisting of oil, manganese sand, and timber.
China is also Gabon's largest export destination. Chinese companies have invested in Gabon's oil, mining, forestry, and fishing sectors and have participated in many of Gabon's major infrastructure projects, including the Grand Poubara Dam.
Details of the Coup
Compared to other former French colonies, Gabon has enjoyed rare political stability. The country officially became independent from the "French Community" in 1960. Since 1967, the Bongo family has ruled Gabon.
Omar Bongo, who had close ties with France, served as Gabon's president for 42 years. After his death in 2009, his son, Ali Bongo, took over the presidency. The recent coup occurred after Gabon's presidential elections.
Last weekend, 64-year-old Ali Bongo sought re-election. On the 30th, Gabon's National Election Commission announced that Bongo secured 64.27% of the votes, paving the way for his third term as president. Bongo's main electoral rival, economist Albert ondo Ossa, rejected the election results, accusing the authorities of fraud.
Shortly after the election results were announced, over ten military personnel, under the banner of the "Transition and Restoration Committee," declared the election results null and void on Gabon 24 TV. They also announced the dissolution of the government, parliament, constitutional court, and other state institutions, and closed the country's borders. The committee consists of officers from the Republican Guard, army officers, and regular soldiers. Bongo was placed under house arrest by the coup leaders.
In the afternoon of the 30th, the "Transition and Restoration Committee" appointed Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, the commander of the Republican Guard, as the chairman of the committee and the transitional leader.
In an interview, Nguema, who revealed that Bongo had suffered a stroke in 2018, criticized the disregard for Gabon's constitution and the flawed electoral process, leading the military to "turn a new page."
This isn't the first time the military has attempted a coup. In 2018, Bongo went to Morocco for treatment after suffering a stroke and returned to Gabon in March 2019. Some military personnel tried to stage a coup in 2019, but it was quickly suppressed.
On Wednesday evening, Bongo, who was under house arrest, released a video stating that his wife and son were also under house arrest at different locations and called on all parties to speak out against the coup.
Although Nguema portrays himself as a representative of a "new chapter," he is, in fact, a member of the Bongo family and is Bongo's cousin. He studied at the Royal Military Academy in Meknes, Morocco, and joined the Republican Guard during the reign of the senior Bongo.
A 2020 investigation by the non-profit organization OCCRP revealed that, like other members of the Bongo family, Nguema owns significant overseas assets. He owns at least three residences in the US, all of which were purchased in cash.
Despite Gabon's relatively high GDP per capita in Africa, the country has a significant wealth gap and a high unemployment rate among young people. World Bank statistics show that last year, the unemployment rate for Gabonese aged 15 to 24 was 36.9%. Nearly a third of the population lives below the poverty line.
The UN, African Union, France, UK, US, Russia, and China have all responded to the coup in Gabon. UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly opposed any military coup and condemned attempts to "resolve the post-election crisis in Gabon through a coup." He also urged Gabon's military and security forces to ensure the safety of Bongo and his family.
Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called on all parties in Gabon to prioritize the country's and its people's fundamental interests, resolve differences through dialogue, quickly restore normal order, ensure the safety of President Bongo, and maintain national peace, stability, and development.
France condemned the coup attempt in Gabon, stating that it is "closely monitoring" the situation and urging all parties in Gabon to respect the election results.
France has over 400 soldiers stationed in Libreville, Gabon's capital. The US Africa Command stated that the US only has soldiers at the US Embassy in Gabon and does not have troops stationed elsewhere.
After the coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, the coup leaders asked the French military to leave and began collaborating with the Russian mercenary group Wagner. Niger also has 1,500 French troops, and the coup leaders have asked the French military to fully withdraw from the country by September 3. Previous reports suggested that the coup leaders in Niger had contacted Wagner, hoping for security assistance.
Gabon has no ties with Wagner, but Wagner soldiers are stationed in Gabon's neighboring country, Cameroon. The coup in Gabon poses another challenge for France. If they lose Gabon, France's influence in Africa will be severely weakened. Some analysts believe that the coup in Gabon was inspired by the successful coups in countries like Niger.
Not just France, but the EU is also concerned about this trend.
EU defense ministers have convened to discuss the situation in Gabon. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, noted that from the Central African Republic, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, to Gabon, the series of coups has put the region in a "very difficult situation," posing a "major issue" for Europe.
He stated that EU ministers will "reflect deeply" on the issues arising in the region and find ways to improve the EU's policies there.
On Thursday, EU foreign ministers will convene again to discuss the situations in Ukraine and Africa. Borrell mentioned that the EU is trying to resolve the issue in Gabon diplomatically and currently has no plans to evacuate its staff from Gabon.
