The United States has paused most military aid to Gabon following the August events that regional authorities characterized as a coup. Officials indicated that assistance tied to security and defense activities was halted, while other lines of support are proceeding with caution. The status of humanitarian, health, and education aid is unchanged, though it will be reevaluated based on the restoration of democratic processes and concrete reforms.
In a statement transmitted through the social media platform X, a senior spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State noted that humanitarian relief and sectoral programs dedicated to public health and education are expected to arrive as planned. He emphasized that the continuation of other assistance depends on tangible steps toward restoring constitutional governance throughout Gabon.
Earlier, the ousted Gabonese president was permitted to travel abroad, a development that accompanied a broader shift in the country’s political dynamics. The morning of August 30 saw high-ranking Gabonese officers address the nation via Gabon 24, asserting that elected authorities had been replaced and that the Ministry of Defense and armed forces were acting in response to what they described as a breakdown of state institutions. Reports from Libreville, the capital, cited gunfire during the period of upheaval.
The military has attributed the crisis to discontent linked to the August 26 general elections. The assertions followed the Central Election Commission’s announcement of the president’s re-election for a third term, with a 64% vote share. The Gabonese presidency has been held by the same family for more than half a century. The current president’s father, who led the state from 1967 to 2009, remains a prominent figure in the country’s political history.
The opposition rejected the election results and proclaimed them fraudulent. In the wake of the unrest, Gabonese authorities temporarily suspended internet access and restricted broadcasts of several French-language online media outlets in the country on August 27, drawing international attention to the situation.
As the transition moved forward, Brisa Oliga Nguemu was announced on the evening of August 30 as a leading figure in guiding Gabon through the early days of the transition period. In parallel, officials spoke of the formation of a new government as part of efforts to establish a stable path forward amid political uncertainty.
Throughout these events, regional and international observers urged calm and called for a rapid return to dialogue, constitutional norms, and the protection of civilian rights. The evolving situation in Gabon has prompted careful monitoring by international partners as they seek assurances that any transition respects democratic principles and the rights of all Gabonese citizens.