Foreign relations of Gabon

Gabon has followed a non-aligned policy, advocating dialogue in international affairs and recognizing both parts of divided countries. Since 1973, the number of countries establishing diplomatic relations with Gabon has doubled. In inter-African affairs, Gabon espouses development by evolution rather than revolution and favors regulated free enterprise as the system most likely to promote rapid economic growth. Concerned about stability in Central Africa and the potential for intervention, Gabon has been directly involved with mediation efforts in Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Angola, and former Zaire. In December 1999, through the mediation efforts of President Bongo, a peace accord was signed in the Republic of Congo between the government and most leaders of an armed rebellion. President Bongo has remained involved in the continuing Congolese peace process. Gabon has been a strong proponent of regional stability, and Gabonese armed forces played an important role in the UN Peacekeeping Mission to the Central African Republic (MINURCA).

Politics of Gabon
Constitution
Government
Parliament
Administrative divisions
Elections
Foreign relations
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Minister: Vacant
Nations with which Gabon has diplomatic relations.

Gabon is a member of the UN and some of its specialized and related agencies, including the World Bank; Organisation of African Unity (OAU); Central African Customs Union (UDEAC/CEMAC); EC association under Lome Convention; Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA); Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); Non-Aligned Movement; Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Gabon is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).

Bilateral relations
Country Formal Relations Began Notes
 Albania 16 November 1974 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 November 1974[1]
 Angola
 Argentina 22 January 1974 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 January 1974[2]
 Armenia9 March 1994

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 March 1994[3]

 Botswana 21 December 2006 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 December 2006[4]
 Brazil11 January 1974Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 January 1974[5]
  • Brazil has an embassy in Libreville.[6]
  • Gabon has an embassy in Brasília.
 Cameroon 12 June 1966 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 June 1966[7]
 Canada1963

Canada established diplomatic relations with Gabon in 1963.

 ChinaSee China-Gabon relations

On 20 April 1974, China established diplomatic relations with Gabon.[9]

  • China has an embassy in Libreville.
  • Gabon has an embassy in Beijing.
 Colombia 14 July 1981 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 July 1981[10]
 Ecuador 11 November 1980 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 November 1980[11]
 Equatorial Guinea

Gabon is involved in a maritime boundary dispute with Equatorial Guinea because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay.

  • Equatorial Guinea has an embassy in Libreville.
  • Gabon has an embassy in Malabo.
 FranceSee France-Gabon relations

Since independence, Gabon has been "one of France's closest allies in Africa".[12] As of 2008, around 10,000 French nationals lived and worked in Gabon, while the 6th Marine Infantry Battalion of the French military is also stationed there.

  • France has an embassy in Libreville and a consulate-general in Port-Gentil.
  • Gabon has an embassy in Paris.
 Gambia 1 September 2021 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 September 2021[13]
 Georgia19 September 2011Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 September 2011[14]
 IndiaSee Gabon–India relations
 Indonesia 3 June 1982 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 June 1982[17]
 Kosovo 5 March 2014 Both countries established diplomatic relations in March 2014.[18]

Gabon and Kosovo have close and friendly relations.[19]

 Liberia 17 June 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1975[20]
 Mexico10 March 1976Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 March 1976[21]
  • Gabon is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.[22]
  • Mexico is accredited to Gabon from its embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.[23]
 Nigeria18 January 1973Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 January 1973[24]
  • Gabon has an embassy in Abuja.
  • Nigeria has an embassy in Libreville.
 Oman 30 March 1981 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 March 1981[25]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis5 January 2018

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 January 2018[26]

 Serbia 4 October 1973 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 October 1973[27]
 South Africa15 October 1992Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 October 1992[28]
  • Gabon has an embassy in Pretoria.
  • South Africa has an embassy in Libreville.
 South Korea1 October 1962Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1962[29]
  • Gabon has an embassy in Seoul.
  • South Korea has an embassy in Libreville.
 SpainSee Gabon–Spain relations
  • Gabon has an embassy in Madrid.
  • Spain has an embassy in Libreville.
 Turkey1960[30]See Gabon–Turkey relations
  • Gabon has an embassy in Ankara.[30]
  • Turkey has an embassy in Libreville.[30]
  • Trade volume between the two countries was US$38.9 million in 2018.[30]
 United States17 August 1960Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 August 1960[31]

See Gabon-United States relations

Embassy of Gabon in Washington, D.C.

Relations between the United States and Gabon are excellent. In 1987, President Omar Bongo made an official visit to Washington, DC. In September 2002, Secretary of State Colin Powell made a brief but historic visit to Gabon to highlight environmental protection and conservation in the Central Africa region. This was followed by a visit to the White House by President Bongo in May 2004. The United States imports a considerable percentage of Gabonese crude oil and manganese, and exports heavy construction equipment, aircraft, and machinery to Gabon. Through a modest International Military Education and Training program, the United States provides military training to members of the Gabonese armed forces each year. Other bilateral assistance includes the funding of small grants for qualified democracy and human rights, self-help, and cultural preservation projects. U.S. private capital has been attracted to Gabon since before its independence.

 Zambia 18 July 1975 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 July 1975[32]
 Zimbabwe 27 August 1990 Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 august 1990[33]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. Current Background, Issues 1023-1028. American Consulate General, 1975. p. 4.
  2. "Biblioteca Digital de Tratados de la República Argentina".
  3. "Bilateral Relations: Gabon (Ministry of Foreign Affaires of Armenia)".
  4. "Diplomatic Relations Between Botswana and Gabon as of 21 Dec. 2006 (United Nations Digital Library)".
  5. Translations on Sub-Saharan Africa Issues 1423-1432. United States. Joint Publications Research Service. 1974. p. 29.
  6. "Embassies of Brazil". www.onlinevisa.com.
  7. Daily Report, Foreign Radio Broadcasts - Issues 116-120. United States. Central Intelligence Agency. 1966. p. 11.
  8. Canada, Global Affairs (9 September 2013). "High Commission of Canada in Cameroon". GAC. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  9. "Gabon -- china.org.cn". www.china.org.cn. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  10. Le Mois en Afrique Issues 186-193 (in French). 1981. p. 158.
  11. "Diplomatic relations between Ecuador and Gabon as of 11 Nov. 1980 (United Nations Digital Library)".
  12. Gabon threatens France with tit-for-tat deportation by Antoine Lawson, Reuters, 4 March 2008
  13. "The Gambia establishes diplomatic relations with Republics of Djibouti, Chad, Gabon and Angola (Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Gambia)".
  14. "Diplomatic Relations between Georgia and Gabon as of 19 Sept. 2011 (United Nations Digital Library)".
  15. "MEA | Indian Missions Abroad | Indian Mission". mea.gov.in. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  16. "Gabonembassynewdelhi". 4 June 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  17. Le mois en Afrique Issues 200-204 (in French). 1982. p. 283.
  18. Paris, Ministria e Punëve të Jashtme-Ambasada e Republikës së Kosovës në. "Republika e Kosovës dhe Republika e Gabonit vendosin marrëdhëniet diplomatike". Ministria e Punëve të Jashtme - Ambasada e Republikës së Kosovës në Paris. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  19. "MPJ konfirmon njohjen zyrtare nga Gaboni". Radio Evropa e Lirë (in Albanian). Retrieved 10 January 2020.
  20. Africa Research Bulletin. Blackwell, 1975. p. 3650.
  21. "El día de hoy conmemoramos el 47 aniversario del establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas entre México y Gabón".
  22. "Embassy of the Gabonese Republic, USA". Official Website of the Gabonese Embassy to the United States. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  23. "Inicio". embamex.sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  24. Translations on Sub-Saharan Africa, Issues 1254-1264. United States. Joint Publications Research Service. 1973. p. 56.
  25. "Diplomatic relations between Gabon and Oman as of 30 Mar. 1981 (United Nations Digital Library)".
  26. "Gabon and St Kitts and Nevis have established bilateral diplomatic relations on Friday, 5th January 2018 in London".
  27. "FM Selakovic is today conducting an official visit to Gabon. Quickly, let's go back to 1973 when our two friendly countries decided to establish diplomatic relations at the embassy level".
  28. "Bilateral relations ( Department International Relations and Cooperation Republic of South Africa)".
  29. "Countries & Regions (Ministry of Foreign Affairs REPUBLIC OF KOREA)".
  30. "Relations between Turkey and Gabon".
  31. "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Gabon".
  32. Summary of World Broadcasts: Non-Arab Africa. British Broadcasting Corporation. Monitoring Service. 1975. p. 8.
  33. African Defence Journal - Issues 113-124. The Journal, 1990. p. 19.
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