Country Profile
From The Report: Gabon 2012
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Gabon has long been lauded on the global stage for its relative stability in a region that has, at many times over the past several decades, experienced significant political unrest. A member of both global and regional political and economic organisations, Gabon’s global engagement is closely linked to France, given its status as a former French colony. The country has a multi-party political system with the executive branch composed of a president, who serves as head of state and a prime minister, who is head of government. Legislative power rests with the 120-seat bicameral parliament. The government has more recently turned its view to economic reforms that will promote sustainable growth. This section also provides a quick overview of the country, its history, geography, population, religion, natural resources, climate and languages.

This chapter contains interviews with President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima; and Jim O’Neill, Chairman, Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Lush and varied: The country boasts a diverse ecosystem and a complex history
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Straddling the equator along Central Africa’s western coast, Gabon is a former French colony of 1.5m people with a territory covered up to 85% by equatorial rainforest. Following the colonial period (1886-1960), the country’s first president, Léon Mba, ruled Gabon until his death in 1967. He was followed into office by Omar Bongo Ondimba, who occupied the post until 2009. Later that year, Omar Bongo Ondimba’s son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, won the presidential elections organised in the wake…

Overview

Moving along: While political reforms are taking time, progress is being made
OBG
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The defining trait of Gabon’s political climate for the past 40 years has been that of stability. While the first decade of independence saw a modicum of unrest and a coup, the country has in general seen little of the turbulence that has plagued other countries in the region. This long-term stability is due in large part to the lengthy tenure of Omar Bongo Ondimba, who for more than 20 years managed the country as a one-party state. However, since gradual political liberalisation began…