Türkiye attends Gabonese presidential inauguration, signaling support for return to civilian rule

Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burhanettin Duran represented Türkiye at the inauguration ceremony of Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema on Saturday, as Gabon officially transitioned from military to civilian rule.

According to a statement shared by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on social media platform X, Duran attended the ceremony in Libreville on behalf of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and in response to an official invitation from the Gabonese government.

The inauguration follows Gabon’s presidential election on April 12, which marked the end of the country’s transitional military government. Nguema, who led the August 2023 coup that ousted long-time President Ali Bongo, won the election with 94.85% of the vote, becoming Gabon’s new civilian leader.

The April vote came months ahead of the initially pledged timeline, following a November 2024 referendum on a new constitution. That constitution abolished the position of prime minister, authorized Nguema’s presidential candidacy, and established a seven-year term with a two-term limit.

Nguema’s inauguration is seen as a pivotal moment in Gabon’s post-coup democratization, ending over five decades of Bongo family rule and setting the stage for a new era of governance.

Strengthening Türkiye-Gabon Ties

Gabon, a key crude oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa and home to the world’s third-largest renewable water reserves, has seen growing engagement from Turkish companies in recent years. Firms from Türkiye have invested particularly in the construction and energy sectors.

In 2024, the two countries signed an agreement to avoid double taxation, reinforcing bilateral trade ties. The deal was signed on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, reflecting Ankara’s broader diplomatic outreach to African nations.

Türkiye also maintains educational and cultural ties in Gabon through the Turkish Maarif Foundation, which operates schools in Libreville offering kindergarten to high school education.

Duran’s presence at the inauguration signals Türkiye’s endorsement of Gabon’s return to civilian governance and its interest in expanding political, economic, and educational cooperation with the Central African nation.

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