Gabon-DRC: Oligui Nguema and Tshisekedi sign cooperation agreement and diplomatic visa exemption

Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Congolese President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing regular political and diplomatic consultations and a General Cooperation Agreement between Gabon and the DRC, following the Congolese head of state's visit to Libreville from August 15 to 18. The two heads of state agreed on a reciprocal visa exemption for diplomatic and service passports, according to the Gabonese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. They reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in defense, energy, transport, education, public health, and sustainable natural resources management, as well as local raw materials processing and job creation. The communiqué did not specify a timeline or investment amounts. The lifting of visas for official passports now facilitates travel between Libreville and Kinshasa. The regular consultation mechanism established by the memorandum provides a permanent structure designed to oversee future joint projects, notably in mining and energy. This rapprochement comes as Oligui Nguema's Gabon, in power since the 2023 transition, seeks to diversify an economy dependent on oil and manganese. The DRC, the world's leading cobalt producer, is expanding regional partnerships while managing the security conflict in the East against the M23. The shared focus on local mineral processing reflects ECCAS's ambition to capture more added value amid global demand for critical minerals.