The African Union (AU) announced on Wednesday the lifting of sanctions against Gabon, a Central African country suspended from the continental organization's bodies following the August 2023 coup.

The AU Peace and Security Council, which deemed the transition that overthrew Ali Bongo "generally successful," has "therefore decided to immediately lift the sanctions imposed on Gabon," according to a statement published on X.

Gabon, like other countries that have experienced military coups in recent years, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, had been suspended by the African Union and was unable to participate in the February election of the new president of its Commission.

Gabon was ruled with an iron fist by the Bongo family for more than five decades, first by Omar Bongo from 1967 to 2009, then by his son Ali who succeeded him until his overthrow in 2023 by Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.

The putschist general, after a transition period, was elected president of the small, sparsely populated but oil-rich African country in April, with 94.85% of the vote.

Under the new constitution, the elected president will lead the country with expanded powers. The position of prime minister has been abolished in favor of the creation of a vice-president.