Pressure is mounting on France to raise concerns over the detention of Gabon’s former Prime Minister and opposition leader Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze as President Brice Oligui Nguema begins a three-day state visit to Paris for high-level talks with French President Emmanuel Macron. Bilie-By-Nze has been in custody since April, facing charges of fraud and breach of trust linked to events dating back to 2008. The former prime minister has denied all allegations, while his lawyers insist the prosecution is politically motivated and intended to silence one of Gabon’s leading opposition figures. His lawyer, Arthur Vercken, has urged France to use its diplomatic influence to press Gabonese authorities to respect the rule of law and ensure his client’s fundamental rights are protected.
Vercken alleged that Bilie-By-Nze is being held under harsh conditions, claiming he is confined to a five-square-metre prison cell around the clock and allowed outside for only a few minutes each week. He argued that the conditions violate basic human rights and called on France to uphold the democratic values it regularly promotes in its international relations. Responding to criticism that French involvement could be viewed as neo-colonial interference, Vercken said France has consistently spoken out on human rights issues in countries beyond its former African colonies and should do the same in Gabon. Gabonese authorities have rejected claims of political interference, maintaining that the country’s judiciary is acting independently and that the legal proceedings are being conducted in accordance with the law.
The case has drawn increasing international attention as President Nguema, who came to power following the 2023 military coup, seeks to strengthen relations with France while presenting Gabon as a country committed to democratic reforms and good governance. During the Paris visit, Macron and Nguema are expected to discuss economic cooperation, mining investment, security partnerships and the future of France’s military presence in Gabon. However, the continued detention of Bilie-By-Nze is likely to remain a key human rights issue overshadowing the diplomatic talks. Observers say the outcome of the discussions could influence both France-Gabon relations and international perceptions of Gabon’s commitment to judicial independence and political freedoms.
