Gabon , an equatorial African country, open to the Atlantic Ocean , has a surface area of 270 000 km 2 and a population of less than 1 500 000 inhabitants (in 2004).
She became a French colony in 1886 and gained independence in 1960. President Omar Bongo, who took over from Leon M’Ba, has been in power since December 2, 1967 .
With her enormous mineral deposits - oil, manganese, natural gas and uranium – which arouse the envy of many, Gabon opted to build close military cooperation ties with France . A French pre-aligned force has been deployed in Gabon which, in partnership with the Gabonese army, carries out various actions: courses, operational training detachments, common exercises, support and logistic assistance, equipment donation.
Evacuation of foreign citizens
In May 1990, a wave of rioting rippled across Gabon following the assassination of the main opponent of the regime at Dowé Hotel, Libreville . At Port-Gentil, where some 6 000 French nationals were living, a rebellion hostile to the regime erupted and spilled over to the capital. The French ambassador was taken hostage. In a bid to ensure the safe evacuation of foreigners and the protection of her interests, France had to take some vital measures.
Various marine troops and the foreign legion units intervened, and before long calm had returned.
Since then, Gabon , which enjoys stability under President Omar Bongo’s rule, has never experienced any major unrest and her cooperation with France has been going on smoothly.