Gabon has officially rejoined the African Union (AU) following the lifting of sanctions imposed on the country after the military takeover in August 2023.
The decision by the AU was announced at the conclusion of the Peace and Security Council meeting of the continental organization, chaired by Ugandan Ambassador Rebecca Amuge.
Gabon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Régis Onanga Ndiaye, representing the elected President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, was present at this decisive meeting.
Gabon’s return to the pan-African institution is the result of positive conclusions from the recently deployed assessment missions in the country, which praised the new authorities' willingness to uphold the principles and charters of the Union.
During the meeting, several recommendations were made, particularly concerning the situation of deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family. The African Union also urged Gabonese authorities to ensure fair and timely treatment for those incarcerated during the Transition, by organizing trials as soon as possible.
This return marks an important step in Gabon’s diplomatic normalization and paves the way for enhanced support from African institutions to assist the Transition towards stable and inclusive governance.
