Gabon ends fishing partnership with European Union, citing imbalanced benefits
via Gabon Review2 min read
Gabon has decided not to renew its sustainable fishing partnership agreement with the European Union, which expires on June 28, 2026. Gabonese authorities stated that the current mechanism primarily benefits European shipowners, with no significant economic returns for Gabon. This decision aligns with the position of the President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who announced in June 2025 his intention to terminate the partnership, deeming it "deeply imbalanced." The government's main concern is that European vessels primarily catch tuna in Gabonese waters but land their catches outside the country, depriving Gabon of benefits from industrial processing, job creation, and value chain development. Libreville now aims to implement a new economic doctrine requiring catches in Gabonese waters to be landed and processed in national ports to strengthen economic sovereignty, stimulate the seafood processing industry, and increase employment. The European Union, in a statement on June 26, acknowledged the termination but expressed openness to constructively and transparently examine Gabon's concerns. Brussels also stated its readiness to negotiate a new, mutually beneficial sustainable fishing partnership agreement and implementation protocol. The Gabonese government had previously announced its intention to terminate the agreement during a Council of Ministers meeting on June 4, 2025, citing that revenues generated were far below the value of catches in Gabonese water
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Must ReadRepresentatives from Central African Economic and Social Councils met in N'Djamena, Chad, on June 25 and 26, 2026, to establish the Conference of Economic and Social Councils of Central Africa COCESAC. Gabon was awarded the first vice-presidency of this new organization, recognizing its delegation's contributions during the discussions. The Gabonese Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council CESEC delegation was led by its second vice-president, Geoffroy Foumboula Libeka. COCESAC aims to strengthen cooperation among the region's Economic and Social Councils, serving as a permanent platform for dialogue, consultation, and proposing solutions to key economic, social, environmental, and development challenges. The organization also seeks to foster shared experiences, harmonize perspectives, and present common positions on regional development and integration. The president of the Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Council of Chad, Dr. Ing. Ahmat Mbodou Mahamat, was elected president of COCESAC, with Congo taking the second vice-presidency. Cameroon will serve as treasurer general and the Central African Republic as rapporteur general. Clément De-Boutet M’Bamba was appointed permanent secretary. This position for Gabon's CESEC acknowledges its involvement in preparatory work and commitment to sub-regional institutional cooperation, enhancing its role in regional institutional diplomacy.
Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, Mark-Alexandre Doumba, engaged with Chinese authorities on digital projects during the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, from June 22 to 27. Doumba met with Chen Xiaodong, President of the China International Development Cooperation Agency CIDCA, to discuss strengthening their strategic partnership in digital technology, innovation, and technological infrastructure. Discussions focused on connectivity, data sovereignty, critical infrastructure hosting, institutional capacity building, and accelerating Gabon's digital transformation. Libreville aims for partnerships based on sustainable investments, skills transfer, and digital infrastructure development to support national administration and economic modernization, aligning with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's strategy for digital transformation as a key driver for economic diversification. Doumba also participated in a panel titled "Less Talking, More Deals," advocating for international economic cooperation that yields tangible benefits for populations, emphasizing that trade, investment, and digital advancements should create local value, qualified jobs, and production capacity. He highlighted Africa's declining share in global exports and called for a reevaluation of cooperation mechanisms to better integrate the continent into global value chains, stressing the need for productive investments, technolo
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is meeting with agents of the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon SEEG today, June 29, at the Jean Violas Skills Center in Owendo. This meeting follows a call from the SYNTEE+ union for direct dialogue with the head of state. The gathering occurs amidst circulating rumors on social media, particularly Meta, suggesting imminent arrests of SEEG general management members. The presence of law enforcement around the Jean Violas Skills Center earlier today fueled these speculations, with some publications, including TV+, reporting on alleged arrests. However, according to consistent sources, the security deployment is not related to a judicial operation but is part of the arrangements for the President's meeting with SEEG workers to discuss the company's overall situation. The discussions are described as frank and open, addressing the public company's challenges as it prepares for a new chapter after more than seven decades. Sources consulted by GabonReview formally deny any plans for arrests targeting the general management, stating that the police presence is a standard measure for an event involving the country's highest office and SEEG personnel. This incident highlights the rapid spread of information and misinformation surrounding the sensitive SEEG issue, with the Owendo meeting aiming to bring a sense of calm.