Anti-French sentiment in Gabon has reached unprecedented levels. New data from Afrobarometer reveals that 78% of Gabonese respondents view France’s influence in their country as negative, while only 20% hold a favorable view. This stark shift places France at the bottom of public opinion among foreign actors in Libreville, a country once hailed as a cornerstone of French influence in the Gulf of Guinea.
The disparity is glaring when compared to other partners. China enjoys a 61% favorable rating, followed by the African Union (60%), the United States (47%), and Russia (43%). Essentially, Beijing is now seen by Gabonese citizens as a three times more legitimate partner than Paris. This reversed hierarchy reflects a deep-seated reshaping of diplomatic perceptions in a nation where France’s economic and military presence was long considered unshakable.
Distrust part of broader regional trend
The Gabonese case is not an anomaly. Since French forces withdrew from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, questioning France’s role has spread well beyond the Sahel. Chad demanded a review of its defense agreements in late 2024, Senegal secured the closure of French military bases, and Côte d’Ivoire followed suit. Gabon, where a military-led transition under General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema began in August 2023, fits squarely into this pattern of reassessing inherited partnerships.
Symbolically, the gradual closure of French military bases across the continent and the downsizing of French elements in Gabon to a cooperation mission have mirrored this shift. Libreville’s official stance, emphasizing sovereignty and diversifying partnerships, resonates with a public weary of an asymmetrical relationship it perceives as oppressive.
China gains from France’s narrative void
China’s rise isn’t just about funded infrastructure or loans. It’s rooted in non-confrontational messaging that sidesteps political demands and highlights tangible deliverables: roads, hospitals, and telecommunications. Gabon’s manganese, a strategic resource for Beijing, fuels this transactional relationship that many citizens find clearer than the convoluted ties between Libreville and Paris.
Russia, with a 43% favorable rating, benefits from an anti-Western narrative amplified across social media. Without economic heft comparable to China or France, Moscow gains traction from a sovereigntist discourse that appeals to urban, connected youth. The African Union, at 60%, underscores that continental multilateralism retains strong legitimacy, even amid Gabon’s suspension after the 2023 coup.
A strategic wake-up call for Paris
For French diplomacy, these figures are a stark warning. Gabon remains home to key French economic interests, including Eramet’s manganese operations, TotalEnergies’ hydrocarbon ventures, and major banking and logistics subsidiaries. The erosion of France’s image risks undermining these positions at a time when public tenders are being reassessed by the transitional authorities.
Issues like the CFA franc, debates over cultural restitution, and post-independence interventions feed a structural resentment that mere public relations cannot erase. The Afrobarometer data suggests reclaiming favorable opinion will require a fundamental overhaul of France’s diplomatic approach—not just superficial tweaks.
The political transition in Gabon, which must culminate in a presidential election and a return to constitutional order, could redraw the map entirely. The next administration will face a delicate balancing act: maintaining economic continuity, responding to popular pressure for a break, and weighing the appeal of Chinese, American, and Russian offers.
