African Development Bank Lifts Financial Sanctions on Gabon

The Gabonese government says the African Development Bank has lifted financial sanctions imposed on the country following the removal of President Ali Bongo in a coup in August.

The economy ministry says the decision was taken at the beginning of the week after successful negotiations between the new Gabonese authorities and senior AfDB officials.

The AfDB's decision to lift the sanctions also followed Gabon’s move to restore confidence by clearing its arrears to the continental financial institution at the end of October.

The AfDB became the first international institution to lift sanctions on Gabon since the coup just over two months ago.