The United States has lifted sanctions on Gabon that were imposed after a 2023 military coup, following the successful conduct of democratic elections in the country, the U.S. State Department announced on Thursday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Congress that a democratically elected government has officially assumed power in the Central African nation. As a result, sanctions placed in 2023 have now been lifted.
Under U.S. law, foreign aid must be suspended when a country experiences a military coup, though exceptions have been made for strategic allies.
In August 2023, Gabon’s military ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, ending more than five decades of rule by the Bongo family. Bongo had been declared the winner of a controversial election widely criticized for irregularities.
General Brice Clotaire Oligui, the coup leader, pledged a two-year transition to civilian rule. He later ran in the April 12, 2025 election and secured the presidency with 94.85% of the vote. Despite the overwhelming result, international observers reported no major irregularities, and the African Union also removed its sanctions on Gabon.
Gabon has historically received minimal U.S. aid, and President Donald Trump—now serving another term—has further reduced foreign assistance across the board.
