Presidents Tshisekedi and Horta N’Tam to visit Libreville for Gabon's 66th independence anniversary

Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is expected in Libreville on August 15 to participate in the official festivities. General Horta N’Tam, President of Guinea-Bissau, will arrive on August 18, the day after the celebrations. These visits aim to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation between Gabon and the DRC, and between Libreville and Bissau.

The diplomatic engagements occur amidst significant political developments in all three nations. In Gabon, this follows the return to constitutional order after the transition initiated in August 2023, with Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema elected president in April 2025. In the DRC, President Tshisekedi, re-elected in December 2023, continues to address instability in the eastern part of the country.

Guinea-Bissau is undergoing a political transition since a military coup in November 2025, which saw General Horta N’Tam appointed transitional president after the ousting of Umaro Sissoco Embalo. This change of power was condemned by the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS and led to the suspension of the electoral process. Libreville seeks to consolidate its ties with African partners and enhance its regional diplomatic standing through these visits.