Gabon's mercury cream paradox: WHO report highlights discrepancy between international commitments and domestic enforcement
via Gabon Review5 min read
A recent report by the World Health Organization WHO has exposed a significant contradiction in Gabon's approach to mercury-containing skin lightening creams. While Gabon has taken a leading role on the international stage, notably through the "Libreville Commitment" adopted in January 2025, to eliminate mercury cosmetics, these dangerous products continue to be sold in Gabonese markets. The WHO tested products sold in Gabon and confirmed the presence of mercury, a toxic substance that can cause severe kidney, neurological, and skin damage. The National Agency for Medicines and Other Health Products ANMAPS has published a list of prohibited products, yet they remain available for purchase. The article highlights that despite a normative framework, including the Minamata Convention and national awareness campaigns, enforcement is lacking. There is an absence of market controls, stock seizures, and penalties for non-compliant vendors. The report implicitly criticizes the government's inaction, stating that merely publishing a list of banned products online is insufficient for public health. It calls for effective point-of-sale controls, visible seizures, deterrent sanctions, and public communication in local languages and accessible channels. The article emphasizes that mercury poisoning is often slow and silent, making government inaction inexcusable.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
Gabon's Qwan Ki Do team achieved significant international recognition by finishing as vice-champion at the 8th World Championship in Romania. The team, largely composed of members from the Gabonese military engineering corps, earned one silver medal and two bronze medals. This performance allowed the Gabonese flag to be raised and the national anthem, La Concorde, to be played during award ceremonies. Arnaud Lilian Billie, deputy coordinator of the national Qwan Ki Do team, stated that these results confirm Gabon's growing influence in martial arts. In addition to their world vice-champion title, the Gabonese delegation also secured the African champion title. Me Guy Florent Evouna, the Qwan Ki Do representative in Gabon, thanked partners and institutional support for enabling the team's participation. Following a technical meeting with the discipline's founding grand master, Gabon was chosen to host the next African Championship. This continental event is scheduled for April 2027 in Libreville, where it will bring together top African teams and further establish Gabon's leadership in Qwan Ki Do on the continent.
In Libreville on May 29, Gabon's Minister of Interior, Adrien Nguema Mba, met with Cameroon's High Commissioner to Gabon, Edith Félicie Noëlle Ondoua Ateba. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly concerning consular issues and the management of the Cameroonian community residing in Gabon. Discussions highlighted the need to improve mechanisms for supporting Cameroonian nationals. The Cameroonian diplomat stated that they discussed perfecting collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Cameroonian High Commission regarding the supervision and monitoring of Cameroonians living in Gabon. The exchange aimed at better administrative and social support for the Cameroonian diaspora in Gabon, especially given sustained regional mobility. Both parties agreed to structure their exchanges through regular communication channels to ensure rigorous monitoring of Cameroonian nationals while respecting Gabonese legislation. This initiative seeks to streamline interactions between consular services and Gabonese authorities to reduce administrative friction and enhance the effectiveness of joint migration efforts. The audience also reaffirmed the deep historical and human ties between the two nations. The High Commissioner emphasized that Cameroon and Gabon are not just friendly countries but brotherly nations. The stability of Cameroonian expatriate communities in Gabon and the strengthening of relations between Libreville and Yaoundé were key object
Must ReadAgents from the Directorate General of Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control DGCCRF in Libreville have dismantled a clandestine network involved in reconditioning and reselling expired food products, including infant milk. The operation, conducted in the Baraka district following a citizen report, led to the seizure of thousands of products intended for illegal resale. The seized items included Nursie 1 and Nursie 2 infant milk, which were significantly past their expiration dates. According to Elise Emmanuelle Ntsame Obame, Director General of the DGCCRF, the products were initially meant for destruction but were recovered by an individual who reconditioned them and distributed them across the country. The presence of expired infant milk posed significant health risks, especially to vulnerable consumers. Thousands of milk cartons and other food items were removed from the illegal circuit. An investigation has been launched to identify all individuals involved, determine the origin of the recovered products, distribution channels, and any accomplices. The DGCCRF urges consumers, particularly parents, to be vigilant when purchasing food products for children and to report any anomalies on packaging or expiration dates.
Gabon is experiencing a significant shortage of sardines in its local markets, despite substantial quantities of the popular fish being exported to neighboring countries. On May 30, the Governor of Estuaire, Marie Françoise Dikoumba, visited Cocobeach, a key transit point on the border with Equatorial Guinea. She reminded fishermen and fishmongers about a temporary export ban on sardines, which has been in effect since March 2026. This measure aims to address the scarcity of sardines and ensure adequate supply for Gabonese households. The Governor, accompanied by a delegation from the Ministry of Fisheries, emphasized the importance of sardines as an affordable and quality local fish. Cocobeach's role as a strategic cross-border trade hub is contributing to the local market's sardine shortage, with the Governor noting that nearly all catches are immediately exported. Fishermen explained that the rapid export is a matter of economic survival due to a lack of proper storage facilities and frequent power outages, which prevent them from preserving their catches for long periods. Authorities stressed the importance of adhering to regulations and ensuring that all actors in the sector are legally registered within the national territory. Beyond the temporary export ban, the government plans to better organize the fishing sector by establishing fixed locations for fishermen and fishmongers in the area. This initiative seeks to strengthen control over commercial distribution channel