Recently after Gabonese soldiers overthrew the administration of President Ali Bongo, the events in the West African country have been attracting new readers.
Therefore, for those who are not familiar with the country, here are a few things you may not know about the former French colony with great resources that has been ruled by the Bongo family after independence.
1.”THE SMALL EMIRATE OF CENTRAL AFRICA”
It was named the “small emirate of central Africa” because of it’s oil that was discovered in the 1970s. With a small population, this has allowed a strong middle class to grow – and oil is 60% of the country’s income.
- 90% OF GABON IS COVERED BY FOREST.
About 90% of Gabon is covered by tropical rainforest, which absorbs more carbon than the country emits, and where large herds of forest elephants, chimpanzees and other wildlife live.
- BRITISH ENVIRONMENALIST LEE WHITE BECAME THE MINISTER OF FOREST.
British environmentalist Lee White became minister for forests, environment and climate change in 2019, leading the way to become the first country in Africa to receive payments to reduce carbon emissions by protecting its rainforests.
- PIERRE EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a former Arsenal striker who now plays for Marseille, is Gabon’s all-time top scorer. Although he was born in France, his father is a citizen of Gabon and a former player of that nation.
5. PRESIDENT BONGO WANTED TO BE A POP SINGER IN HIS YOUTH.
President Bongo wanted to be a pop singer in his youth, he released a funk album in 1978 when he was known as Alain Bongo. This is a link to a single from I Wanna Stay with You, in which he sings: “I thought it was good, breaking all the rules.”