The 2026 session of the strategic partnership dialogue between Gabon and the European Union commenced this Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès Omar Bongo Ondimba. Presiding over the opening were Hermann Immongault, Vice-President of the Gabonese Government, representing the Head of State, and Cécile Abadie, the European Union’s Ambassador to Gabon. This gathering marks a pivotal moment in the relationship between the two partners, building upon discussions held two years prior in 2024. Amidst the establishment of the Fifth Republic, following the presidential election in April 2025, Libreville is committed to reinforcing its institutional stability and fostering a cooperation model centered on sustainable co-investment. The comprehensive discussions involved European Union ambassadors and Gabonese government officials, addressing critical areas such as political reforms, economic outlooks, governance principles, environmental protection, and enhanced regional and multilateral cooperation.
“We have definitively concluded the Transition phase and, since the presidential election of April 12, 2025, embarked on a new institutional dynamic characterized by the establishment of the Fifth Republic,” stated Hermann Immongault during his address. He further emphasized that “Gabon intends to progressively shift from a logic primarily based on aid and support to a structural economic partnership model, focused on investment, local value creation, skills transfer, and human capital development.” In this evolving framework, the Samoa Agreement now serves as the foundational reference for this reinvigorated cooperation.
Investment and ecological transition
The Vice-President also highlighted the global significance of safeguarding Gabon’s natural heritage. According to him, “the preservation of this wealth is not merely a national policy. It represents a global imperative that demands a fairer recognition of the efforts made by countries committed to its effective protection.” He advocated for “the strengthening of international financing mechanisms for ecological transition” to harmoniously balance economic growth, industrialization, and environmental preservation. Furthermore, Gabon reiterated its unwavering commitment to multilateralism, fostering stability across Central Africa, and ensuring security within the crucial Gulf of Guinea region.
For her part, Cécile Abadie, the European Union Ambassador to Gabon, commended the high quality of the ongoing dialogue between both entities. She underscored the necessity “to adapt the cooperation tools between Gabon and the European Union,” stressing the importance of “a renewed partnership” that addresses emerging common priorities. Expressing her openness to “free exchanges,” the European diplomat reaffirmed the European Union’s dedication to supporting Gabon in establishing a more balanced collaboration, geared towards attracting investments, implementing reforms, and achieving tangible results that benefit both partners.
