The visit of Gabon’s transitional president to Senegal on January 18 gave General Brice Oligui Nguema and his counterpart Macky Sall the opportunity to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation relating to the economy, education, culture, youth and vocational training, among others. This working and friendship visit is President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema first visit to Senegal since taking power on August 30.
General Brice Oligui Nguema returns to Senegal, this time as Head of State. The communication services of the Senegalese Presidency recall that the current President of the Republic of Gabon was Defense Attaché at the Gabonese Embassy in Dakar. During the tête-à-tête between Senegalese President Macky Sall and the Gabonese President on January 18 in Dakar, the two leaders officially addressed various issues relating to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, such as visas and residence permits, higher education and the economy and youth.
« The observation we have made is that we can do better to raise our economic and trade cooperation to the same level as our political and diplomatic relations. We can also develop more exchanges of experience, in target areas of common interest, and better involve our respective private sectors. »
Macky Sall, President of the Republic – Senegal
The transitional Gabonese president’s visit to Senegal is his first since taking power on August 30, 2023. Pending the end of the transition, scheduled for 2025, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is stepping up his travels to African countries to help Gabon regain its place in sub-regional and continental institutions. Gabon has been suspended from the African Union since the coup d’état against Ali Bongo.
« Senegal for me, I wouldn’t hide it, it’s a country I hold close to my heart, it’s a country where I spent five years here as defense attaché. I don’t want to hide it: my inspiration also comes from Senegal. For me, Senegal has always been an example of democracy, an example to which we have all aspired since the Baule conference. «
« I would be failing in my duty of gratitude if I did not take this opportunity to pay a vibrant tribute to President Macky Sall for the work he has accomplished for the Senegalese people. He is a builder and head of state. »
Brice Oligui Nguema, President of the transition – Gabon
Cited as an example of democracy by Gabon’s president, Senegal will be holding presidential elections on February 25, 2024, a ballot in which the incumbent president, Macky Sall, has decided not to take part after two terms, preferring to support another builder, his Prime Minister Amadou Ba.