But the geopolitical change is surprising in Gabon, where the father and former president of the president, Omar Bongo, had very close ties with France. France supported the regime and turned a blind eye to autocracy in exchange for loyalty and the opportunity to secure business interests in the country, a tactic it replicated in much of Africa.
François Mitterrand, a former French president, parachuted French troops into Libreville in 1990 to help Omar Bongo quell a revolt. Officials are quick to deny that the Bongo family has benefited from France, alleging that Omar Bongo did not use state coffers to buy luxury villas and yachts in France.
Many Gabonese people expect the Commonwealth to pressure the government to improve its human rights record and hold free and fair elections, although so far the UK has not spoken about these issues.
“We’ve been in France for a long time and nothing really has happened in terms of freedom in elections,” the young Gabonese student said. “We expect the Commonwealth to put some pressure on the regime.”
The foreign minister of Togo, another former French colony, said on Saturday that membership in the Commonwealth opened the door to 2.5 billion consumers, offered new educational opportunities and took advantage of a “way” for the English among his countrymen.
“Togo’s membership is motivated by the desire to expand its diplomatic, political and economic network … as well as to get closer to the English-speaking world,” Robert Dussey told AFP.