Libreville: Angolan President Joo Louren§o and Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema met in Libreville to discuss bilateral cooperation and align their positions on African and international issues. The meeting took place during a 24-hour visit by President Louren§o to Gabon, where he was received with military honors at the Renovation Palace.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the discussions between the two leaders are expected to result in several agreements, particularly in the fields of energy and agriculture. This visit marks the second meeting between President Louren§o and President Oligui Nguema, with their first encounter occurring in Rome at the funeral of Pope Francis on April 26.
The visit serves as a platform to revive the 11 existing agreements between Angola and Gabon. The partnership between the two countries is anchored in the General Cooperation Agreement and the Bilateral Joint Commission, established in January 1982. These frameworks facilitate cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, oil and mining, maritime transport, industry, trade, education, culture, health, and youth and sports.
Additionally, Angola and Gabon are both active participants in the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), which promotes economic integration and political stability in the region. They are also involved in the Gulf of Guinea Commission to enhance cooperation and maritime security among coastal countries in Central and West Africa.
The meeting between the presidents underscores the importance of strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new avenues for collaboration, particularly as President Oligui Nguema, who won the presidential election with 94.85% of the vote according to Gabon's Constitutional Court, seeks to consolidate his leadership on both domestic and international fronts.
