Gabon turns away from France: 78% negative views revealed in latest survey
The perception of France in Gabon has plummeted to an all-time low. According to the newest Afrobarometer findings, a striking 78% of surveyed Gabonese citizens view Paris’ influence in their country as negative, while only 20% hold favorable opinions. This stark contrast places France at the bottom of the rankings among external actors in Libreville, a nation historically seen as a key Francophone bastion in the Gulf of Guinea.
When compared to other partners, the gap becomes even more pronounced. China leads with 61% positive opinions, followed by the African Union (60%), the United States (47%), and Russia (43%). In essence, Gabonese citizens now consider Beijing a partner three times more legitimate than Paris. This reversed hierarchy underscores a profound shift in diplomatic perceptions within a country where France’s economic and military presence once seemed unshakable.
Anti-French sentiment part of a wider regional trend
The Gabonese backlash is not an isolated incident. Since French forces withdrew from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, resistance to Paris’ role has spread far beyond the Sahel belt. Chad finalized demands to revise its defense agreements in late 2024, Senegal secured the closure of French military bases, and Côte d’Ivoire followed suit. Gabon, where Brigadier General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s military-led transition began in August 2023, fits squarely into this broader pattern of reassessing inherited partnerships.
Symbolically, the gradual closure of French military installations across Africa, including the downsizing of French elements in Gabon (EFG) to a cooperation-only mission, has mirrored this shift. Libreville’s official narrative, which champions sovereignty and diversified alliances, aligns with a public mood weary of an asymmetrical relationship perceived as oppressive.
China seizes the narrative void
China’s rise in Gabon isn’t solely due to infrastructure investments or loan agreements. It stems from a conflict-free communication strategy focused on tangible deliverables—roads, hospitals, and telecommunications networks. Gabon’s manganese, a strategic resource heavily purchased by Beijing, fuels this transactional relationship that many citizens find clearer than the convoluted ties between Gabon and France.
Russia, with 43% favorable views, benefits from an anti-Western stance amplified by social media. Without China’s or France’s economic footprint, Moscow gains traction among urban youth through a sovereigntist narrative. Meanwhile, the African Union’s 60% approval rating highlights that continental multilateralism retains strong legitimacy, despite Gabon’s suspension following the 2023 coup.
Paris faces a strategic wake-up call
For French diplomacy, these figures serve as a stark warning. Gabon remains a critical economic hub for France, with major interests in manganese (Eramet), hydrocarbons (TotalEnergies), and banking/logistics sectors. Deteriorating public opinion could weaken France’s position as transition authorities reassess public tenders.
Structural grievances—such as debates over the CFA franc, demands for cultural restitution, and post-independence interference—fuel deep-seated resentment that mere PR campaigns won’t resolve. The Afrobarometer data suggests that reclaiming favorable perception will require a fundamental overhaul of France’s diplomatic approach, not just superficial changes.
The upcoming Gabonese transition, expected to culminate in presidential elections and a return to constitutional order, could reshape the landscape. The next elected government will face a delicate balance between economic continuity, public pressure for rupture, and the competing allure of offers from China, the U.S., and Russia.
