Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema refused US request to host expelled migrants
via Gabon Review2 min read
Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema revealed in an exclusive interview with France 24 that his country rejected a proposal from the Donald Trump administration to host migrants expelled from the United States. President Nguema stated that the US had approached Gabon with this request, but he declined, emphasizing that Gabon would not sign an agreement that was not beneficial to the country. He clarified that there are no American migrants in Gabon as a result of this refusal. This decision by Libreville contrasts with several other African nations, including Rwanda, Ghana, Eswatini, Uganda, and Equatorial Guinea, which have cooperated with Washington on similar agreements. These US policies, often termed "deportation to third countries," involve transferring migrants who cannot be directly repatriated to their home countries. Press investigations and US parliamentary reports suggest these agreements often include financial aid, diplomatic benefits, or relaxed US measures for the participating countries. President Nguema's stance highlights Gabon's commitment to maintaining its sovereignty regarding migration and avoiding mechanisms without direct national interest. Human rights organizations have criticized these US transfer agreements due to concerns about transparency and the risks faced by individuals relocated to countries with which they have no connection. Gabon's refusal aligns it with other African states that have opted not to participate in the US progra
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