The African Union (AU) has officially lifted all sanctions against Gabon following what it described as a commendable and peaceful transition of power, culminating in the country’s recent presidential election.
At the 1277th meeting of its Peace and Security Council (PSC) on April 30, the AU removed the temporary suspension it had imposed after the military-led ousting of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba on August 30, 2023.
The decision followed months of sustained diplomatic efforts by Gabonese authorities under transitional leader and now elected President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
“Each time, the reasons and other motives that pushed the military to dismiss Ali Bongo Ondimba” were explained clearly, said Gabonese officials, as President Oligui Nguema embarked on a vigorous campaign of regional and international outreach to justify the transition and share progress on political reforms.
Backed by Foreign Affairs Minister Michel Régis Onanga Ndiaye, President Oligui left no major summit unattended.
The Gabonese diplomatic mission emphasized milestones such as the Inclusive National Dialogue in April 2024, the adoption of a new constitution via referendum, and, crucially, the peaceful presidential election held on April 12, 2025.
The African Union, which sent several missions to Libreville to monitor the transition, praised the election process as free and credible.
International observers, including AU monitors, were present throughout, and the PSC acknowledged the transparent conduct and broad participation in the vote.
Rebecca Amuge, Uganda’s Permanent Representative to the AU and April’s PSC Chair, lauded the electoral process, with African diplomats even joking that “the new criteria for evaluating presidential elections on the continent will be inspired by Gabon.”
The landslide victory of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was a pivotal moment, prompting AU Chairman and Angolan President João Lourenço to fulfill a promise made in Vatican City.
On the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral, Lourenço had pledged to advocate for Gabon’s reinstatement—a pledge now realized.
As Gabon celebrates this diplomatic milestone, the lifting of AU sanctions marks not just a symbolic victory, but a validation of the country’s transition process, opening a new chapter in its engagement with the continent and the global community.
Source: union.sonapresse
