Gabon
Type of Government: Republic
Independence: 1960 from France
Head of State: President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba (since December 2, 1967)
2007/2008 UN Development Index ranking (out of 177 countries): 119
2007 TI Corruption Perception Index (out of 179): 84
Political Development: Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. The current president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated the country’s political scene for almost four decades. President Bongo introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. When President Bongo was re-elected in 2005 he abolished term limits. Gabon’s political opposition remains weak, divided, and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries.
Adult HIV Rate: 8.1%
Life Expectancy: 53.99
GDP: $6.945 billion
Inflation: 4%
Poverty: N/A
Petroleum: 268,900 bpd
Leading Export Partner: US (27.6%)
Economic Note: Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of sub-Saharan African nations. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet, because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its currency by 50% in January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996.
