
Gabon has officially relaunched the High Investment Council HCI eight years after its last session, following directives from the President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The Vice-President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, opened the proceedings on June 4, 2026, in Libreville. The HCI aims to strengthen public-private dialogue, improve the business climate, and mobilize financing for the 2026-2030 National Growth and Development Plan. This plan requires approximately 27 trillion CFA francs, with the private sector expected to contribute about 18 trillion CFA francs. Immongault emphasized the importance of renewed, sincere, and effective partnerships between the state and private sectors, guided by transparency, mutual trust, inclusivity, representativeness, responsibility, and rigorous follow-up. Thierry Minko, the Minister of Economy, highlighted that the ambitious goals of the National Growth and Development Plan can only be achieved through a renewed climate of trust and a more attractive business environment. Alain-Claude Kouakoua, President of the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises FEG, welcomed the reforms, including the HCI's relaunch, efforts in public-private dialogue, and initiatives to improve economic administration. The HCI's work, which includes thematic working groups, will continue until June 15, focusing on consolidating recommendations and adopting a common roadmap for reforms.
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SOS Prisonniers Gabon SPG has formally alerted the Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, in charge of Human Rights, regarding the absence of ordinary criminal sessions since the start of the 2025-2026 judicial year. The organization is concerned that this situation deprives many detainees of their right to a trial within a reasonable timeframe, highlighting insufficient funding allocated to courts for organizing these hearings. SPG notes that no ordinary criminal sessions appear to have been held nationwide since the judicial year began in October 2025, despite the Gabonese Code of Criminal Procedure requiring a criminal court session every three months. Nearly nine months into the judicial year, with only one quarter remaining, no ordinary criminal trials have been scheduled. The NGO attributes these delays to insufficient funding for the courts, a justification it deems unacceptable given the impact on detainees' fundamental rights. SPG emphasizes that this situation also reveals structural difficulties within the judicial system, including a lack of human, material, and financial resources. The organization is particularly concerned about the repercussions on the prison population, stating that over 70% of detainees in Gabon are awaiting trial, some having been in preventive detention for several years. SPG argues that this undermines the principle of presumption of innocence and exacerbates prison overcrowding. The organization urges authorities to mobilize necessary
Must ReadGabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema addressed the case of Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze during an interview on France 24 on June 2, 2026. President Oligui Nguema described Bilie-By-Nze as a friend and stated he was not involved in the private matter, expressing sympathy for his situation. He also emphasized the independence of the justice system in Gabon. Bilie-By-Nze was arrested on April 15, 2026, and an investigation for fraud and breach of trust was announced by the Public Prosecutor on April 16, 2026. He was subsequently placed in provisional detention on the same day. Critics, including Ali Akbar Onanga Y’Obegue, a law professor and Secretary General of the PDG-canal Ali Bongo, have questioned the legal basis of the charges, citing prescription of facts and arguing that a debt related to a public service mission cannot be personally attributed to a minister. The Coalition for the New Republic also denounced what it called "state lawfare." Concerns have been raised about the speed of the legal process, with Bilie-By-Nze remaining in preventive detention for 47 days despite the seemingly clear nature of the case, which dates back to 2008 and involves figures like Paul Mba Abessole, then Minister of Culture. The president had previously stated on December 19, 2025, that only a firm, impartial, and credible justice system could restore public trust. The article highlights the paradox between the president's statements and the slow progress of the case, calling for a

Adrien Wany NKoghe-Mba, President of the Léon Mba Institute, reflects on Gabon's public diplomacy following an encounter at a Parisian environmental event. He met a French environmental activist and elected official who was unaware of the Congo Basin's existence, despite its crucial role as the planet's primary terrestrial carbon sink, spanning six Central African countries, and Gabon's 88% forest cover. This experience led him to question who is effectively communicating Gabon's forest story to the world. Drawing on the work of political scientist Frédéric Charillon, NKoghe-Mba argues that Gabon needs to move beyond institutional speeches and embrace public diplomacy to reach public opinion, researchers, journalists, and philanthropists. He explains that while classical diplomacy engages governments, public diplomacy targets societies, creating a fertile ground for agreements by fostering sympathy, curiosity, and trust. Major powers like the United States, France, and the United Kingdom have long utilized cultural centers, scholarships, and cultural institutions for this purpose. NKoghe-Mba contrasts two scenarios: a Gabonese representative presenting statistics at an international conference versus an exhibition in a Berlin museum that emotionally connects visitors to Gabon's nature. He emphasizes that public diplomacy transforms institutional commitments into personal convictions, leading to tangible actions such as researchers becoming scientific ambassadors, foundations
Must ReadGabon's government is reactivating the High Investment Council HCI to strengthen its partnership with the private sector and achieve the ambitious 27 trillion FCFA investment target set by the National Growth and Development Plan PNCD 2026-2030. The HCI's work is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 4, in Libreville. This initiative follows a recent meeting between the executive and the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises FEG to establish a new dynamic for public-private collaboration. The government aims for the private sector to contribute 18 trillion FCFA, or two-thirds, of the total investment required for the PNCD. The relaunch of the HCI, under the instructions of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, seeks to address private sector concerns such as administrative controls, legal insecurity, procedural delays, and high logistical costs. Eight joint working groups, comprising public administration and private sector representatives, will examine key themes from June 4 to June 11, including parafiscality, cost of living, legal security, public establishment governance, public procurement, social reforms, strategic sectors, and support for SMEs. The conclusions will be consolidated on June 12 and 13, with a general presentation on June 15 for the formal adoption of selected reforms. The government hopes this move will build trust and attract the private capital necessary for the PNCD's success and Gabon's development ambitions.