AfDB lifts sanctions on Gabon following rounds of negotiations in Morocco, DR Congo

The Gabonese government has commended the African Development Bank (AfDB) for lifting financial sanctions imposed on the country after the removal of President Ali Bongo in a coup in August.

The country’s ministry of economy announced that the decision was taken by the continental bank following “successful negotiations between the new Gabonese authorities and senior AfDB officials”.

Gabon has been pushing for the sanctions to be lifted in different negotiations held in Morocco and the Republic of Congo in October.

Reacting to the development, Gabon’s Economy Minister Mays Mouissi said on X, formerly called Twitter, the decision “rewards weeks of work to calm relations between Gabon and its donors”.

The African Development Bank is the first international body to suspend sanctions against Gabon since the coup that removed the long-term leader and replaced him with General Brice Oligui Nguema.

The move allows Gabon to continue receiving AfDB loans and grants for its domestic projects.

Gabon had been slapped with a series of sanctions since the military took control of the country.

Recall that the Commonwealth of Nations temporarily suspended the central African country after military officers overthrew President Ali Bongo.

The group, in a statement, said they “strongly condemned the unconstitutional removal of the elected government from office”.