Gabon

Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries.

• narrow coastal plain;
• hilly interior;
• savanna in east and south

party to:

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:

none of the selected agreements

• a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries;
• in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity

0-14 years:

42.3% (male 280,218; female 278,808)

15-64 years:

53.5% (male 352,363; female 355,315)

65 years and over:

4.2% (male 22,786; female 32,070) (2003 est.)

at birth:

1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years:

1.01 male(s)/female

15-64 years:

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over:

0.71 male(s)/female

total population:

0.98 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

noun:

Gabonese (singular and plural)

adjective:

Gabonese

conventional long form:

Gabonese Republic

conventional short form:

Gabon

local short form:

Gabon

local long form:

Republique Gabonaise

• based on French civil law system and customary law;
• judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court;
• has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

chief of state:

President El Hadj Omar BONGO (since 2 December 1967)

head of government:

Prime Minister Jean-Francois NTOUTOUME-EMANE (since 23 January 1999)

cabinet:

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president

elections:

• president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term;
• election last held 6 December 1998 (next to be held NA 2005);
• prime minister appointed by the president

election results:

President El Hadj Omar BONGO reelected; percent of vote - El Hadj Omar BONGO 66.6%, Pierre MAMBOUNDOU 16.5%, Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE 13.4%

• Supreme Court or Cour Supreme consisting of three chambers - Judicial, Administrative, and Accounts;
• Constitutional Court;
• Courts of Appeal;
• Court of State Security;
• County Courts

• Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [General Jean Boniface ASSELE];
• Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [Divungui-di-Ndinge DIDJOB];
• Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG, former sole party [Simplice Nguedet MANZELA];
• Gabonese Party for Progress or PGP [Pierre-Louis AGONDJO-OKAWE,];
• National Rally of Woodcutters-Rally for Gabon or RNB-RPG (Bucherons) [Fr. Paul M'BA-ABESSOLE];
• People's Unity Party or PUP [Louis Gaston MAYILA];
• Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Pierre EMBONI];
• Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]

chief of mission:

Ambassador Jules Marius OGOUEBANDJA

consulate(s):

New York

FAX:

[1] (202) 332-0668

telephone:

[1] (202) 797-1000

chancery:

Suite 200, 2034 20th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission:

Ambassador Kenneth P. MOOREFIELD

embassy:

Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville

mailing address:

Centre Ville, B. P. 4000, Libreville

telephone:

[241] 76 20 03 through 76 20 04, after hours - 74 34 92

FAX:

[241] 74 55 07

lowest 10%:

NA%

highest 10%:

NA%

• petroleum extraction and refining;
• manganese, and gold mining;
• chemicals;
• ship repair;
• food and beverage;
• textile;
• lumbering and plywood;
• cement.

• cocoa, coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber;
• cattle;
• okoume (a tropical softwood);
• fish

total:

814 km

standard gauge:

814 km 1.435-m gauge (2002)

total:

8,464 km

paved:

838 km

unpaved:

7,626 km (2000 est.)