A political commission in Gabon has urged for the closure of the French military base in the Central African nation and a review of defense agreements with Paris, as reported by Radio France Internationale (RFI) on Friday.
The proposal was put forth in a report during an ongoing national dialogue in Libreville, organized by the Gabonese military government to transition the country back to civilian rule.
The resolution is set to be approved on Saturday during the plenary session of participants of the Inclusive National Dialogue (DNI), which commenced on April 2 and is scheduled to end on Tuesday.
France currently has approximately 400 soldiers stationed at the base north of Libreville, responsible for training Gabonese troops. Following a coup that ousted long-time president Ali Bongo, Paris temporarily halted military cooperation with Gabon in September.
Despite the suspension, the French Armed Forces Ministry announced a gradual resumption of operations just over a week later, citing the differing political situations in Libreville and Niger.
Gabon’s request to cease France’s military activities echoes similar actions taken by other former French colonies like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who have cut defense ties with Paris over perceived failures in combating jihadist groups in the Sahel region.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, the military ruler of Gabon who orchestrated the August coup to prevent Bongo from seeking a third term after 14 years in power, has pledged to abide by the decisions made during the DNI and relinquish power in August 2025.
During the extensive national dialogue that spanned a month, numerous individuals, including opposition parties and religious leaders, participated in discussions. Among the various subcommittees, the one focused on political institutions put forth a recommendation for the mineral-rich African nation to embrace a fresh constitution.
According to Telesphore Ondo, the committee’s chairman, the proposed constitution aimed to establish a rigid framework that would pose challenges for future revisions. This approach was driven by the desire of the Gabonese people to grant the executive, particularly the President of the Republic, an extended period to effectively implement their diverse economic and social programs.
