History History

Several archaeological sites attest to a Stone Age civilization. Axes, arrows and points have been found in the regions of Moyen-Ogooué, in the south of Gabon and in the estuary region. Historians agree that the first inhabitants have disappeared, without being able to identify to which people they belonged.

The Pygmies arrived in Gabon from the north, probably driven out by the desertification of the Sahara and settled in the heart of the equatorial forest. These small men live by fishing, hunting and gathering fruits and roots. They are currently recognized as the oldest people of this territory.

Migratory flow of Bantu populations coming from the north. Possessing advanced techniques, they imposed their culture and language on the black populations they encountered.

The Myene arrive from the north to various parts of the country, where they are divided into several sub-groups. They settled from the estuary to the Fernan Vaz region.

After landing in São Tomé, the Portuguese landed in Gabon. In the course of the Komo River, they saw the silhouette of a sea coat, which led them to name the country "Gabao" or caban in Portuguese.

In order to replace the labour force massacred in South America, the Portuguese engage in the slave trade. In their turn, the French, English and Dutch equip slave ships, which leave mainly from the port of Loango and Mayumba.

Abolition of slavery and signing of the treaty between Bouët-Willaumez and King Louis, of the Mpongwe tribe. This agreement gives the French the use of the ceded lands in exchange for the protection they provide to Kings Louis and Denis. The French Navy then erected the fort of Aumale.

Arrival of Father Bessieux and foundation of the Catholic mission of Libreville. He becomes the first bishop of Gabon.

Freed by the French authorities, the slaves of the Brazilian slave ship the Elizia founded the "commune of Libreville", in the present-day Montagne-Sainte district.

Last great migration of the Fang from Cameroon. Their settlement is not without quarrels and violence. Numerous and courageous, they are formidable hunters with a warlike soul.

French-American explorer and naturalist, Paul Belloni Du Chaillu was the first to venture into the interior of the country from 1858, from where he returned with precise and unpublished descriptions of the customs, languages and social organisations of the ethnic groups he met, drawings, stuffed animals and objects that he took care to send to the various American institutions that supported him in this mission. He met the Fang in the Crystal Mountains, explored the estuary up to Cape Lopez, the Mondah estuary, the present provinces of Ogooué-Maritime, Moyen-Ogooué and Ngounié, whose mountainous massif now bears his name. On a second trip, he visited part of the kingdom of Loango and Ogooué-Lolo. In the accounts of his travels, he recounts his adventures, but suffers strong criticism at the release of the most famous of his works: Voyages et aventures dans l'Afrique équatoriale.

The French navy settles at Cape Lopez and in Fernan Vaz. France signs a treaty with the representatives of the Orungu and Nkomi kingdoms of Cama.

A naturalized French explorer and naval officer, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza was commissioned by the French government in 1879 to extend France's rights over the Congo River. His bonhomie, charm and peaceful approach to the Africans made Brazza an exceptional figure among his contemporaries, who explored Africa in a violent manner on behalf of the great colonial powers. Having reached the Congo River, he cut short the attempt of Leopold II, king of the Belgians, to profit from his discoveries and proposed to the Teke king, Makoko Mbe, to place his kingdom under French protectorate. They sign an agreement allowing the French to settle in Nkuna, which later becomes Brazzaville. His expeditions bring an immense colonial territory to France, but he withdraws because of his differences with this colonial power which seeks to submit the territories to the regime of the concession.

Berlin Conference which signs the division of Africa between the European powers. One year later, Gabon became part of the French colonial empire. In the meantime, several Catholic missions are founded throughout the country.

The exploitation of okoumé wood begins. A year later, Gabon is attached to the French Congo; Libreville remains the capital of this territory. It lost its status as capital in 1904 to Brazzaville, before Gabon later became a colony of French Equatorial Africa.

Appointed chief of the Fang canton, Léon Mba is one of the first to rebel against the abuses of the French administration. He is exiled to Oubangui-Chari. At the same time, the towns of Gabon begin to develop and there is a second rush for okoumé wood.

First successful oil exploration: a well is built in Madiela and then in Ozouri. Gold and uranium are also discovered in the territory. In the meantime, Gabon becomes a French overseas territory.

Successive discoveries of mineral wealth and the general climate of withdrawal of the colonial powers from all Third World countries led Gabon to a first step towards autonomy in 1958, when De Gaulle created the French Community, offering each TOM the possibility of becoming an autonomous state. Léon Mba is appointed Prime Minister.

Independence is proclaimed in Gabon after the document is signed by Léon Mba and André Malraux. Libreville became the capital and the country was admitted to the UN.

Election of Léon Mba to the presidency of the Gabonese Republic. The climate was tense because of political differences between Mba (BDG) and Aubame (UDSG) which led to the dissolution of the National Assembly.

Léon Mba's political life began in one of the working class districts of Libreville, Mont Bouët, when he was elected chief of the Fang canton in 1922. He is a man of wisdom and listening, who knows how to show both human qualities and a capacity of decision. A fervent defender of the Gabonese cause, he was one of the spokesmen of the first revolts against the French colonial authorities concerning the exploitation of the Gabonese during the construction of the Congo-Ocean railway line. And, although he is reproached for having abandoned any idea of independence, he became the first president of the Gabonese Republic in 1961. He left his mark by his determination to build a great capital: enlargement of administrative buildings, creation of the city's major communication routes. He also encouraged the creation of an international airport, which is now the Leon Mba airport.

Overthrow of Léon Mba by a military coup. French troops intervene to restore power. A climate of repression follows.

Construction of the first oil refinery of the Société équatoriale de raffinage (future SOGARA).

Re-election and death of President Léon Mba. Vice-President Albert-Bernard Bongo succeeded him as president on December 2. He institutes a one-party regime and founds the PDG: the Democratic Party of Gabon. Foundation of Air Gabon.

At the end of this year, the first crossing of the Transgabonais is laid. The first hydroelectric dam of Kinguélé is put into service. Bernard Bongo is re-elected to the presidency, converts to Islam and takes the name Omar.

Signature in Libreville of the treaty of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

Arrival of the Transgabonais in Franceville and official inauguration of the Owendo - Franceville railway line. El Hadj Omar Bongo is re-elected president of the Republic of Gabon.

With the fall in oil prices, Gabon is experiencing a period of recession which will put a stop to many projects underway. The opposition rose up in Port-Gentil. French and Gabonese troops intervened.

Bongo officially made Gabon a multiparty democracy following a National Conference. Many parties are emerging, but none is capable of destabilizing the PDG.

Despite the difficult situation, Omar Bongo was re-elected with 66.99% of the vote.

Omar Bongo won the presidential election again. This is his third election under the multiparty system. He died during his term of office on 8 June 2009, a few months after his wife. Early elections were held on 30 August, under stormy conditions. Ali Bongo, the new leader of the PDG, was elected on 3 September with 41% of the vote in his favour.

Launch of the Gabon Emergent Strategic Plan, based on 4 pillars: Green Gabon, Blue Gabon, Industrial Gabon and Services Gabon.

Death of André Mba Obame, leader of the Gabonese opposition, due to serious health problems. A few clashes broke out in Libreville, which were quickly brought under control.

Ali Bongo was re-elected with 49.8% of the vote, beating his main opponent, Jean Ping, by only 5,000 votes! The results were contested by the opposition and riots broke out. On September 24, Ali Bongo was finally recognized as the winner by the Constitutional Court.

Against the backdrop of the economic crisis, the president suffered a stroke. He was hospitalized in Saudi Arabia and then convalesced for several months in Morocco.

Failed coup attempt by a military group that takes control of the national radio station for a few hours. The situation is quickly brought under control by the gendarmes, two of the soldiers are shot.

Gabon is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its independence against a backdrop of health and economic crisis. Only a sober ceremony, with the taking up of arms in the presidential palace, was organised. In his speech, Ali Bongo took stock of the last ten years.

On August 26, the Gabonese people are called to the polls for presidential, legislative and municipal elections. They took place in the absence of international observers and foreign media whose accreditation had been refused. No sooner had Ali Bongo declared victory (64.27%) on August 30 than a military coup overthrew the re-elected president. The military announced the end of the regime and the dissolution of institutions on television. General Brice Oligui Nguema, former head of the Republican Guard, becomes President of the Transition. A new government is set up. Presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for August 2025.