Gabon urged to prioritize torture prevention in political reforms by OMCT and civil society
via Gabon Review3 min read
The World Organisation Against Torture OMCT and several civil society organizations, including SOS Prisonniers Gabon SPG, have issued a report highlighting the persistence of torture and ill-treatment in Gabonese detention facilities. Published on April 21, 2026, during the 84th session of the United Nations Committee Against Torture, the report urges Gabonese authorities to make torture prevention a central priority in ongoing political reforms. The organizations, which also include the Centre for Study and Support for Local Development and the Faith, Culture and Education Network, argue that current institutional transformations offer a crucial opportunity to strengthen the rule of law and align Gabon with its international commitments, particularly the Convention Against Torture. The report details recurring allegations of torture and ill-treatment in prisons, police stations, and security service detention centers, citing testimonies of beatings, prolonged incommunicado detention, and pressure to extract confessions. These abuses are reportedly facilitated by insufficient procedural guarantees, such as limited access to lawyers and inadequate judicial oversight, as well as the existence of unofficial or poorly regulated detention sites. The report also revisits the post-electoral violence of August 2016, accusing security forces of excessive force and mass arrests, and criticizes the lack of independent investigations, which fosters impunity. Concerns are also raised abou
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AGL Gabon successfully managed the unloading and transport of a 132-ton cement kiln, measuring 16.07 meters long, 5.22 meters wide, and 5.30 meters high, for an industrial plant expansion in Gabon. This operation, which required weeks of preparation, custom equipment, and precise coordination, demonstrates AGL Gabon's expertise in handling exceptional cargo. To ensure safety, the company utilized an oversized trailer capable of supporting up to 199 tons, a first for Gabon's national logistics infrastructure. This investment aims to develop a local sector for heavy and exceptional packages in Central Africa. Patrick Gerenthon, AGL Gabon's General Manager, stated that the operation highlights the team's ability to tackle complex logistical challenges and deploy suitable technical solutions, adding that the trailer acquisition reflects their commitment to investing in high-performance equipment and developing local skills. AGL Gabon's strategy includes training employees in specialized equipment operation, aiming to establish Gabon as a leading logistics hub for heavy cargo in the CEMAC zone, serving major industrial projects in the sub-region. With 1,100 employees in Gabon, AGL provides port handling, maritime consignment, transit logistics, and customs brokerage services, positioning itself as an integrated logistics chain player supporting Gabon's economic and social development.
Must ReadGabon is hosting the 5th edition of the NewSpace Africa forum, highlighting its growing role in the continent's space sector. The country's position in the African space scene is attributed to a clear vision and consistent investments, particularly in geospatial observation capabilities and the development of its space ecosystem. This leadership is recognized by continental actors in the sector. Gabon is seen as a regional hub and a driving force for coordinating space initiatives in Central Africa, contributing to a coherent and dynamic African ecosystem. The Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations AGEOS, established in 2010 in the Nkok economic zone, is central to Gabon's space development. AGEOS has built strong geospatial observation capabilities covering several African countries. H.E Dr Tifiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Agency Council, commended Gabon's leadership in making it a prime location for space business, its commitment to coordinating space activities in Central Africa, and its contribution to the African space ecosystem. Beyond technical capabilities, Gabon is involved in pan-African initiatives, such as its 2018 collaboration with the African Union and the European Commission on the first African space program forum under the GMES & Africa program. These collaborations have strengthened national expertise and integrated Gabon into major space cooperation networks. Gabon's decision to host the 2026 NewSpace Africa Conference further s
Must ReadThe Ensemble Pour le Gabon EPG party has issued a press release on April 20, 2026, condemning the conditions of detention for its president, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who was incarcerated on April 16, 2026. According to the Executive Bureau, the former Prime Minister has not received any visits since his preventive detention. His lawyers' attempts to gain access to their client on April 20, 2026, were unsuccessful, with judicial authorities providing no official explanation for the refusal. The EPG interprets this as "total isolation," a term in Gabonese criminal law that implies a ban on all external contact and cannot be legally extended beyond certain deadlines without a reasoned decision. The party and the defense are facing a procedural void due to the lack of official communication from the prosecutor's office or the investigating judge. The communiqué did not mention the charges against Bilie-By-Nze or announce immediate legal action, but the tone suggests a potential escalation in the coming days.
Must ReadGabon is hosting the Newspace Africa Conference from April 20 to 23, 2026, a pan-African event focused on space governance, networking, and business partnerships. The opening ceremony took place on Monday at the Angondjé stadium in Akanda. The conference aims to solidify Gabon's commitment to enhancing its role in the African space sector. Laurence Ndong, Minister of Public Service and Capacity Building, acting as interim Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, highlighted Gabon's ambition to become a strategic space hub in Central Africa. She stated that this ambition is part of a broader project to modernize the state, using digital technology, data, space, and artificial intelligence to build a more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric government. Ndong emphasized that Africa will no longer accept being a passive testing ground for space technologies developed elsewhere without its informed consent, advocating for the continent to be an active and respected partner in research and development. Tidiane Ouattara, Director of the African Space Agency, praised Gabon's leadership in coordinating African space affairs, noting that Gabon was chosen to host the 5th edition of the conference due to its significant contribution to building the African space ecosystem. Aboubacar Mambimba, head of the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations AGEOS, outlined three strategic pillars for the event: human resource development through collaboration, te