Gabon: President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema calls on oil industry players to prevent social conflict
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema met on January 28, 2026, in Libreville with representatives of unions in the private petroleum sector, after the latter had filed a strike notice. This direct presidential mediation aimed to defuse emerging social tensions in a sector strategic to the national economy.
The unions presented their demands and requested the personal intervention of the Head of State to secure lasting solutions.
This step demonstrates the confidence of social partners in presidential arbitration to resolve disputes in the energy sector.
On presidential instruction, an upcoming meeting will bring together all oil and gas operators.
The objective is to identify and implement concrete measures, particularly concerning the application of Law No. 20 on combating job insecurity and abuses in subcontracting.
This presidential intervention demonstrates the Gabonese authorities’ commitment to anticipating and preventing social conflict in a key economic sector.
It underscores the importance placed on social dialogue as an instrument for regulating labor relations.
The forthcoming meeting will constitute a decisive test of the stakeholders’ ability to find balanced compromises.
Its success would strengthen the stability of the petroleum sector while improving employees’ working conditions, in keeping with the imperatives of economic competitiveness.
Gilbert FOTSO
