Hermann Immongault received Carlos Okinda in audience on Monday, May 18, 2026, in a meeting that focused on strengthening relations between Gabon and São Tomé-et-Príncipe. The discussion centered on how the two countries can intensify political, economic and human cooperation.
Okinda, Gabon’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to the Democratic Republic of São Tomé-et-Príncipe, gave a first assessment of his mission after presenting his letters of credence to the Santomean president on April 21, 2026. He said he had already met local authorities and members of the Gabonese community living in the archipelago, and said those contacts had brought to light problems facing some compatriots, especially in commerce and immigration.
The ambassador also said the absence of regular maritime freight between the two countries makes it difficult to transport goods to Gabon, a constraint that he said is hampering the economic activity of many operators based in São Tomé-et-Príncipe. Immongault said he had taken note of the difficulties raised by the ambassador and gave several orientations to help him carry out his mission.
The meeting comes as Libreville and São Tomé seek to deepen a relationship that both sides want to turn into lasting cooperation. The areas named in their discussion — commerce, transport and institutional exchanges — point to the practical side of that ambition, where progress will depend less on declarations than on whether goods, people and administrative links can actually move more smoothly between the two countries.
For Gabonese nationals in São Tomé-et-Príncipe, the immediate pressure remains clear: commercial obstacles, immigration concerns and a shipping gap that keeps weighing on everyday business. The next test for both governments is whether the diplomatic warmth shown in Libreville can be matched by arrangements that make the route between the two capitals easier to use.
