Relationship dossier
France
Gabon
Relationship assessment
A longstanding partnership disrupted by the 2023 coup and subsequent changes to military cooperation
France toward Gabon
+35France has supported Gabon through development cooperation and military training and maintained a military presence under bilateral arrangements. After the 2023 coup, France suspended military cooperation, then engaged with Gabon's transitional authorities in 2024.
Gabon toward France
+35Gabon has maintained defense cooperation with France and hosted a French military presence under bilateral arrangements. Following the 2023 coup, Gabon's transitional authorities engaged with France, including through a 2024 meeting between their leaders.
Overall relationship
+35The relationship has enduring defense, development, economic and cultural connections, including bilateral military arrangements and French support to Gabon. The 2023 coup strained that structure when France suspended military cooperation, though engagement with Gabon's transitional authorities resumed. The partnership remains substantial, but the future scope of military ties is uncertain.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
France and Gabon have maintained a close relationship through defense, development, economic and cultural ties. France has provided military cooperation and development support, while Gabon has hosted a French military presence under bilateral arrangements. The 2023 coup in Gabon disrupted this partnership: France suspended military cooperation, then engaged with Gabon's transitional authorities in 2024.
Areas of tension
- France's suspension of military cooperation after Gabon's 2023 coup strained the defense relationship.
- The political future and terms of France's military presence in Gabon have been sensitive issues.
Key developments
France suspended military cooperation with Gabon following the coup that removed President Ali Bongo.
French President Emmanuel Macron met Gabon's transitional leader Brice Oligui Nguema in 2024, signaling renewed engagement.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of defense cooperation following the 2023 coup are unclear.
- The longer-term terms of France's military presence in Gabon are uncertain.