On July 14th, during the French National Day celebration held at the French Embassy in Libreville, Ambassador Fabrice Mauriès revealed that President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon is scheduled to undertake a state visit to Paris in the coming days. The seasoned diplomat characterized this upcoming event as the “highest possible protocol level” and a “pivotal moment” for solidifying the relationship between France and Gabon.
Addressing Gabonese officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and representatives of the French community, Ambassador Mauriès reaffirmed his statement. He confirmed that “in a matter of days, His Excellency the President of the Gabonese Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, will travel to Paris for a state visit, representing the pinnacle of diplomatic protocol and signaling a definitive stride in enhancing our enduring relationship.”
The ambassador highlighted that this renewed momentum builds upon a series of dialogues initiated in 2023. He recalled President Oligui Nguema’s official visit to Paris in spring 2024, followed by President Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Libreville. Mauriès asserted that “this partnership, continuously expanding in scope, is in a perpetual state of redefinition,” viewing these high-level engagements as milestones marking a fresh chapter in Franco-Gabonese cooperation.
Clarifying Paris’s stance on the Gabonese Transition, Ambassador Mauriès stated unequivocally that “France was not a participant, as it is solely up to the Gabonese people to determine their nation’s fundamental choices.” He nonetheless affirmed that “France has never withdrawn; it remains and will continue to be a trustworthy, loyal, committed, and resolute partner, dedicated to assisting Gabonese citizens in forging this new collective future.”
The diplomat concluded by announcing that this imminent visit will pave the way for realizing a fresh outlook on economic relations between the two nations. “We will forge a mutually beneficial, win-win partnership, a vision earnestly desired by the Gabonese President, and one that President Macron has confirmed aligns with our own perspective,” Mauriès explained, adding that “within days, new projects embodying this very vision will be unveiled in Paris.”
Since the August 2023 change in regime, Gabon and France have embarked on a gradual restructuring of their bilateral ties. Reciprocal visits by Presidents Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Emmanuel Macron have inaugurated a fresh era of political, economic, and security cooperation. The forthcoming state visit of the Gabonese head of state to Paris is poised to signify another significant phase in this rapprochement, with the anticipated announcement of several strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering the enduring partnership between the two countries.
