Gabon, a place where oil reserves, tropical beaches and political dynasties come together… a fertile base for poor living standards and sharp socio-economic inequality. Back in the late 1960s, not long after Gabon gained its independence, oil explorations made an interesting discovery. Former President Omar Bongo – the world’s longest ruling non-monarchic leader – must have thought he hit the jackpot when he heard they assessed a ten-fold increase of oil reserves to be found underneath this tropical paradise. Concession were granted, the drilling started and President Bongo – long did he reign – found himself in the uncommon position of having infinite funds coming out of his private property, aka Gabon.
As the truly fascinating life of President Omar Bongo, the infinite turned out to be mortal and his son, President Ali Bongo – long may he reign – faces the consequences of non-diversified oil economies: high debt, stagnating revenues, soaring corruption and crushing poverty.
The latest and greatest from Gabon are news of another oil-boom, but not from underneath. Palm oil should compensate what fossil fuels can no longer deliver. This will result in a vast deforestation of the tropical habitat for many species and nutritious vegetation. The tropical rainforest not only feeds many in region but it also provides various resources that the local population sells in order to afford essential services such as telecommunication, medicine or electricity. Aside of the few potential employees of the palm oil industry, this economic transition will increase the already crushing poverty that hundreds of thousands have to endure in this small state.
Gabon remains an opportunity for a few and the bitter end of the line for many. The people you are being acquainted with on these photographs are representative of many fathers, mothers, siblings and grandparents that see no hope and stare at a bleak future. A bleak future inherited by President Bongo and prolonged by President Bongo Jr.’s preferred style of doing politics.
* On 30 August 2023, Gabon experienced a coup d'état just after it was announced that the sitting president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, had secured victory in the general election on 26 August. Despite being Ali Bongo's cousin and a member of the Bongo family, Nguema's involvement in the coup marked the end of the Bongo family's 56-year dominance over Gabon.
