Luanda, May 12, 2025 (Lusa) - The Angolan president on Monday in Libreville, Gabon, highlighted the way in which the Gabonese elections took place, "an example to be followed" by other countries on the African continent.
João Lourenço, who is on a visit to the Republic of Gabon for a few hours, was speaking after a private meeting with his Gabonese counterpart, Brice Nguema, who won the presidential elections held in April with 94.8% of the vote.
"I would like to emphasise the fact that the president had committed himself to holding democratic elections in his country, which actually happened within the promised timeframe, which is to be commended," he said.
According to the Angolan head of state, "several groups of observers were unanimous in their opinion that the elections were free and democratic" and that the Gabonese people "had the freedom to express their will at the ballot box, with a minimum of abstentions on election day, which is also to be commended".
"The elections here in Gabon were a good example for other countries on our continent to follow, which is why we have directed the African Union commission, through the Peace and Security Council, to lift all kinds of sanctions and impediments on the Republic of Gabon," he emphasised.
Brice Oligui Nguema has been at the head of Gabon's military junta since the 2023 coup d'état, winning the presidential elections held on 12 April this year.
The Angolan head of state called on the Gabonese authorities to "dedicate themselves above all to the economic and social development of the country in favour of its citizens".
João Lourenço expressed Angola's support, as a brother country, within the framework of their bilateral relations, as well as at the level of the African Union.
According to João Lourenço, on a bilateral level, the need to hold "as soon as possible, the meeting of the bilateral Joint Commission, which this time, in principle, will take place in Angola," was finalised, inviting his Gabonese counterpart to make an official visit to the Portuguese-speaking country.
"Be confident in our desire to deepen the bonds of friendship and economic cooperation between Angola and Gabon," he said, taking the opportunity to thank his Gabonese counterpart for “the gesture” of pardoning Angolan citizens who were serving sentences in Gabon.
"We will endeavour to send the appropriate means to bring them back to their families," added João Lourenço.
For his part, Brice Nguema thanked João Lourenço for his efforts to restore Gabon's place in the African Union, and emphasised the good relations between the two countries at regional level and within the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
"On the economic front, my wish is for us to develop more relations, given that Angola has great potential, especially in the area of hydrocarbons," said Brice Nguema, congratulating the excellent cooperation and quality of the good relations between the two countries, which could be strengthened by his visit to Angola.
Brice Oligui Nguema led the coup that ousted his cousin, Ali Bongo, on 30 August 2023, the same day that the official results of that year's presidential elections were announced, due to the manipulation and lack of credibility of the ballot.
Before meeting his counterpart, the Angolan president also held a courtesy meeting with former President Ali Bongo, who ruled Gabon between 2009 and 2023.
NME/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
