The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) has removed Gabon from its formal agenda, ending the organisation’s special monitoring of the country following the 2023 military coup.
The decision was taken at CMAG’s 75th meeting on November 1, 2026, in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. Ministers recognised the restoration of elected constitutional government and the completion of Gabon’s political transition following the overthrow of President Ali Bongo Ondimba on August 30, 2023.
Gabon was partially suspended by the Commonwealth in September 2023 after the military takeover. In July 2025, following presidential elections in April, CMAG lifted the partial suspension but retained the country on its agenda for further monitoring. The latest decision ends that oversight.
Removal from the agenda does not signal an end to the Commonwealth’s engagement with Gabon. CMAG has encouraged Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey to continue working with the government and provide technical assistance upon request.
Potential areas of assistance include the rule of law, separation of powers, democratic institutions, electoral administration, political pluralism, human rights and media freedoms.
For Libreville, the decision marks the end of a special monitoring process introduced after the coup. It also shifts the focus towards cooperation on institutional development and democratic governance.
