Gabon has been placed under partial suspension from the Commonwealth following a military coup that unseated President Ali Bongo. This decision was reached during a meeting of Commonwealth foreign ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The foreign ministers, convening as the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, called upon Gabon to adhere to the core values and principles of the Commonwealth. They emphasised the importance of Gabon conducting credible elections at the earliest opportunity.
The political upheaval in Gabon unfolded when the military seized power shortly after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner of the 2023 presidential election. Bongo had held office since 2009, succeeding his father, who had ruled the oil-rich nation for 41 years.
Initially placed under house arrest as military leaders assumed control, President Bongo was later granted permission to travel abroad for medical examinations.
Commonwealth ministers expressed strong condemnation for the unconstitutional removal of the elected government and requested Gabon to ensure the safety of President Bongo and his family.
As a result of this suspension, Gabon will be excluded from all Commonwealth intergovernmental meetings and events, including ministerial and heads of government gatherings. The interim prime minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, appointed in September following the coup, has stated that fresh elections should be held within two years.
Commonwealth ministers have given the new Gabonese leadership until August 30, 2025, to organise credible elections. Failure to make substantial progress within this timeframe may lead to Gabon’s removal from the Commonwealth. Despite international condemnation of the coup, some Gabonese citizens have expressed support for the change, citing concerns about the former president’s third-term bid, allegations of widespread fraud, and his health condition following a stroke in October 2018.
