Title: Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, first Gabonese president on official visit to Saudi Arabia
Introduction :
As part of his first outing outside the African continent since the coup d’état of August 30, the president of the Gabonese transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, went to Saudi Arabia to participate in the first summit between Saudi Saudi Arabia and Africa. This visit is of great importance for Gabon, because it offers the opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries and open up prospects for cooperation on different levels.
The context of the visit:
After overthrowing the regime of former President Ali Bongo Ondimba through a coup d’état, the transitional president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, sought to consolidate his position internationally. Unlike Western countries, Saudi Arabia did not impose sanctions on Gabon after the putsch, which provides an opportunity to establish diplomatic and commercial relations with the Saudi kingdom.
The objectives of the visit:
President Oligui Nguema has several objectives during this visit to Saudi Arabia. First of all, he wishes to advocate for the protection of the environment, particularly the forests of the Congo Basin which cover more than 85% of Gabonese territory. These forests are of crucial importance to Gabon in terms of biodiversity and natural resources.
In addition, the president of the transition also wishes to carry out lobbying actions in favor of the lifting of the sanctions imposed on Gabon and plead for better support for the current political transition. He promises free, credible and transparent elections at the end of this transition period.
Importance of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Gabon:
Cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Gabon is already fruitful, particularly in the religious field. Indeed, the Saudi kingdom is a major player in the development of Islam in Gabon, offering theological training as well as financial support for the construction of mosques. This religious cooperation strengthens ties between the two countries and constitutes an important factor in strengthening bilateral relations.
Conclusion :
The visit of the president of the Gabonese transition to Saudi Arabia is of great importance for Gabon. It offers him the opportunity to strengthen diplomatic relations, advocate for environmental protection and seek the necessary support for the ongoing political transition. This visit marks a key step in Gabon’s efforts to consolidate its position on the international scene and establish strategic partnerships for the country’s development.