French President Emmanuel Macron and his Gabonese counterpart, Brice Oligui Nguema, greeted the crowd at Léon-Mba International Airport in Libreville on November 23, 2025. THIBAULT CAMUS/AP
Emmanuel Macron placed his hand in that of his Gabonese counterpart, Brice Oligui Nguema, and the two heads of state walked side by side to the official dinner at the presidential palace in Libreville on Sunday, November 23. United as two "friendly nations," according to the French president. As two "brothers," added the Gabonese leader. After the G20 in South Africa and before flying the next day to Angola for the summit between the European Union and the African Union, Macron had insisted on this stopover of a few hours in Gabon.
Macron was welcomed off the plane with military honors by a small crowd chanting his name and performing the lingwala, a traditional dance of the Nzebi people of Gabon. He came to savor – and foster – the affection shown by Gabon's new leaders, even as anti-French sentiment has spread across the continent. "Our president wants to continue doing business with France. He is the one who decides," said Sandra Mbila, a cleaner who came to greet Macron at the airport, waving a flag promising a "win-win partnership" between France and Gabon.
