The United States Joe Biden administration has formally invited Gabon coup leader Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to Washington to discuss a return to civilian rule, The Africa Report has learned.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell extended the invitation during his trip to Gabon, Ghana and Senegal last month. In Libreville, Campbell met with Nguema and other members of the transition government as well as civil society leaders to discuss the country’s political transition towards democracy.

Hopes other coup countries will follow suit

“The primary purpose is to discuss our bilateral relationship and how we move that forward, addressing mutual interests,” Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee tells The Africa Report. “The details still need to be worked out. But we discussed that as a positive option for both sides.”

The plan is to host Nguema towards the end of September, around the time of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“The visit is definitely under consideration,” a Gabonese official confirms. “The meeting with DSS Campbell was very fruitful.”

While the focus would be on Gabon, some Africa watchers in the US hope successful talks with Nguema could create a model for engagement with other putschists, notably in the Sahel. In recent years Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Sudan have all undergone undemocratic transfers of power.

“Blueprint is far-fetched. But I think it’s a demonstration that the US can engage responsibly with the authorities of these transition countries in a way that allows the exploration of new alternative paths,” says Joseph Sany, vice president of the Africa Center at the US Institute of Peace in Washington.

“It will depend, obviously, on the agendas of the different juntas and how far they want to engage with the US,” he adds. “The visit is a demonstration that diplomatic ties are not dead, there is a pathway, but these countries must be willing to engage with the US, the US will not force them to engage.”

Phee echoes those thoughts.

“I wouldn’t describe that as the primary purpose for [Nguema’s] travel,” she says. “It could serve as a model for others, but others have their own agency and will make their own decisions.”

Warming ties after the fall of Bongo dynasty

Nguema overthrew the 56-year-old Bongo dynasty in August 2023 following sham elections won by President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Despite its efforts to frame the military intervention as a “freedom coup” to remove a Western-backed autocrat, the US quickly suspended certain foreign assistance in line with anti-coup restrictions imposed by Congress.

Another demonstration of Nguema’s willingness to explore a different way of engaging

It also stripped Gabon of its duty-free access to the US market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

Relations have steadily improved in recent months, as Gabon continues to move forward with plans for a transition back to civilian rule. The country has hosted a national dialogue and is drafting a new constitution.

Unlike other African countries that have undergone coups and proceeded to turn to Russia and kick out Western forces, Gabon stands out for its efforts to repair ties with the US and former colonial power France, both countries eager to offset their loss of influence in Western Africa.

Despite drawing down its troop presence in the country from 350 to 100 as it retrenches across the continent, French President Emmanuel Macron greeted General Nguema at the Elysée Palace with military honours at the end of a six-day visit in late May/early June.

“[Nguema] has chosen a different way to reform the relationship with the colonial power, France, with the US, in a way that is much more constructive, less confrontational,” Sany says.

“This is another demonstration of Nguema’s willingness to explore a different way of engaging.”

Strengthening the US-Gabones partnership

The US has been receptive. In May, the US Navy sent its only ship permanently assigned to US Africa Command (Africom) to Libreville to take place in the multinational naval exercise, Obangame Express 2024.

Participants from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, the Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone and Togo – but not Gabon – participated in the exercise.

“This port visit, as part of the exercise, strengthens the US-Gabonese partnership as the two nations work together for a stable, secure, and prosperous Gulf of Guinea and West Africa region,” the US Navy said at the time.

The deputy secretary’s July trip is part of efforts to improve ties.

“Campbell received an update on Gabon’s democratic transition and reaffirmed the US commitment to supporting Gabon’s efforts to implement an inclusive and transparent political process culminating in free and fair elections,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a 16 July statement.

“The two officials agreed to take concrete steps to deepen and expand the bilateral relationship based on shared priorities, including economic and social development, maritime and border security, environmental conservation and security cooperation.”