PREVIEW
As over 50 leaders met at Beijing’s Africa summit , US officials were negotiating new African security pacts
The United States is to offer more economic and military assistance for Gabon in the coming weeks, as Washington tries to rebuild its military relations in the region, and to counter Chinese attempts to develop its military presence there (AC Vol 65 No 4, China's base desires).
The agreement includes a training program for Libreville's special forces and $5 million to support the country's democratic transition, and is set to be unveiled when Gabonese interim President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema visits Washington in September or October. It is likely to include the provision of radar, say officials.
The offer marks a rapid turnaround in US-Gabon relations.
Gabon’s access to the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, which allow tariff-free trade with the US, was suspended in January, with the Biden administration citing its lack of political pluralism and rule of law.
Washington changed tack after the military regime announced elections would be held in August 2025, marking the end of the transition back to civilian rule (AC Vol 64 No 21, General Nguema consolidates his palace coup).
Quitting its military base in Niger on orders from Niamey’s military rulers, the US government has been looking for alternatives in West Africa. Djibouti currently hosts its Africa Command force, while the US’ designation of Kenya as a major non-NATO ally in June is set to pave the way for greater defence co-operation and military training missions.
During a visit to Gabon in July, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said that a new Chinese military training facility in Gabon would probably lead to a gradual increase in Beijing’s military presence.
The European Union, whose forces were also ejected from the Sahel, has stepped up its diplomatic engagement with Gabon, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire in recent months. It has been offering them defence and security support in exchange for enhanced border control to reduce migration on the West Africa route to the Spanish Canary Islands.
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