Cameroon’s President Paul Biya welcomed Gabon’s transitional president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, to Yaoundé for a significant state visit this Wednesday. This meeting is part of a series of discussions Oligui Nguema has been having with leaders in the ECCAS (Economic Community of Central African States) sub-region. The visit, focused on the political situation in Gabon, signifies an important diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
During their tête-à-tête, which lasted over two hours, Presidents Biya and Oligui Nguema discussed a range of issues concerning both countries. The conversation, described as “cordial and fruitful” by Biya in a tweet, centered around the recent political upheavals in Gabon following the fall of Ali Bongo Ondimba. Oligui Nguema elaborated on the motivations behind the coup and the ongoing transitional processes leading up to Gabon’s next democratic elections.
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J’ai eu des entretiens cordiaux et fructueux avec Son Excellence le Général de Brigade Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Président de la Transition, Président de la République Gabonaise, en Visite Officielle au Cameroun, ce mercredi 06 décembre 2023.#PaulBiya#Cameroun pic.twitter.com/5SRgfbJPCA— President Paul BIYA (@PR_Paul_BIYA) December 6, 2023
The Cameroonian president expressed his concerns regarding the situation of the ousted president and his relatives, reflecting the interconnected nature of political stability in the Central African region. The two leaders also evaluated the cooperation relations between Cameroon and Gabon, which share nearly 300 kilometers of common borders, underlining the strategic importance of their relationship.
Oligui Nguema’s visit to Cameroon concludes a series of diplomatic engagements across central African states as he seeks support for Gabon during its transitional phase. This visit, though short, is critical in the context of Central African politics and reflects the regional dynamics at play.
