The United States has officially lifted sanctions on Gabon, months after the Central African nation held elections and transitioned back to civilian leadership.
A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department announced on Thursday that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed to Congress that Gabon now has a democratically elected government in place. With that confirmation, the sanctions imposed following the 2023 military coup have been removed.
U.S. laws prohibit aid to countries where the military topples an elected government, though the rule has sometimes been bent when it comes to countries seen as strategically important.
In Gabon’s case, the military ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba in August 2023. The Bongo family had held on to power for more than 50 years, and Ali Bongo had just been declared winner of a disputed election when soldiers stepped in and took control.
Read also: Kenyan student in court over false post on president Ruto’s death
The coup leader, General Brice Clotaire Oligui, had pledged to restore civilian rule within two years. He later contested the presidency and was declared winner of the April 12 election with a landslide 94.85 percent of the votes.
Despite the wide margin, international observers said the election was credible and free of serious irregularities.
Despite the wide margin, international observers signalled no major irregularities, and the African Union also lifted sanctions on Gabon.
Even before the coup, Gabon was not a major recipient of US assistance.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, now in his second term, has continued to cut foreign aid across many parts of the world.
