فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Addis Ababa – The African Union (AU) announced on Wednesday the lifting of sanctions imposed on Gabon, the Central African nation whose membership in the continental organization’s bodies was suspended following the August 2023 coup.
The AU’s Peace and Security Council, which deemed the transitional process following the ouster of Ali Bongo “generally successful,” decided to “immediately lift the sanctions imposed on Gabon,” according to a statement posted on X. The statement affirmed that the country “will immediately resume its participation in the activities” of the African Union.
Gabon’s membership in the AU had been suspended, as was the case with other countries that have experienced military coups in recent years, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. Notably, Gabon did not participate in the February elections to choose a new chairperson of the AU Commission.
The Bongo family had ruled Gabon with an iron fist for over five decades. Omar Bongo led the country from 1967 until 2009, and his son Ali succeeded him until he was overthrown in 2023 by General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The new President expressed his satisfaction with the decision, stating on Facebook: “Today, I feel deep pride. Gabon has rejoined the African Union,” emphasizing that the country’s return to the continental organization’s bodies is “more than just a symbol: it is a recognition of our collective commitment to building our country in peace, order, and dignity. I thank all our African partners for their trust.”
According to the new constitution adopted in the country, the President will assume the administration of the state with expanded powers, while the post of Prime Minister has been abolished in favor of creating a Vice-Presidential position.
