France–Gabon relations

French - Gabonese relations

France
Gabon

Franco-Gabonese relations refer to the current and historical relations between France and Gabon. Relations have been characterized by "an extreme case...of neo-colonialism" by France.[1]

Pre-independence relations

Main article: History of Gabon

France first came into contact with people from Gabon when France signed protection treaties with local chiefs in 1839 and 1841. France officially claimed Gabon as a territory in 1885 as part of the scramble for Africa. Administration by France began in 1903 and in 1910, Gabon became part of the newly formed federation of French Equatorial Africa. Gabon lasted as part of the colonial federation until 1959. During World War II, Gabon was held by Vichy French forces from June to November 1940, but otherwise was controlled by Free French forces. In August 1960, Gabon attained independence from France along with the other territories of the former French Equatorial Africa.

Since independence

Since independence, Gabon has been "one of France's closest allies in Africa".[2] During the 1960s Gabon was France's sole source of Uranium and the French government therefore saw its relationship with Gabon as critical to its Force de frappe (nuclear deterrent).[3]

As of 2008, around 10,000 French nationals live and work in Gabon, while the 6th Marine Infantry Battalion of the French military is also stationed there. When Gabonese president Omar Bongo died on June 7. 2009, Nicolas Sarkozy and Jacques Chirac were the only western heads of state to attend his funeral.

References

  1. ↑ Gabon: A Neo-Colonial Enclave of Enduring French Interest by Michael Reed in The Journal of Modern African Studies, 25.2, 1987 pages 283-320
  2. ↑ Gabon threatens France with tit-for-tat deportation by Antoine Lawson, Reuters, 4 March 2008
  3. ↑ Charles F. Darlington Oral History Interview - JFK #1, 12/3/1971, pg.8, http://archive1.jfklibrary.org/JFKOH/Darlington,%20Charles%20F/JFKOH-CFD-01/JFKOH-CFD-01-TR.pdf
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