Gabon: The 2023 Coup in the Context of Postcolonial History

The global geopolitical transformations of modern times are deforming the world order that emerged in the post-war period. These transformations marked the beginning of the end of French dominance in West and Central Africa. There is a rapid degradation and collapse of the military-political system “Fransafrique”. Over the past 3 years, armed coups have occurred in Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, Niger and Gabon. The violent change of power in all these states had much in common, but there were also significant differences in what was happening in these countries. The article examines the features of the 2023 military coup in the Gabonese Republic and its distinctions from coups in other states in this region. In particular, the Elyse Palace’s loyal attitude towards the initiators of the putsch is noted, and the reasons for this unexpected tolerance are revealed. This also explains the quite benevolent attitude of the putschists towards the presence of French troops on the territory of Gabon. All the coups that have happened in recent years have little in common: the impoverishment of the broad masses, galloping inflation and unemployment. Everywhere there was massive support for the rebel military from civil society.

Africa, Gabon, France, military coup, putsch, Emmanuel Macron, Omar Bongo, Ali Bongo, Francefrique