Following the Coup in Gabon last month, the US has withheld aid to the country. However, the US will continue diplomatic and consular services in the country. After the coup on August 30th that followed the announcement that President Ali Bongo won reelection, General Brice Nguema, a cousin to the deposed president, became the new leader of the country. The coup was the latest in the spate of military coups across the central Africa region and the Sahel. Gabon is an oil producing country, with an estimated 200,000 barrels per day, down from the peak of 370,000 barrels per day in 1997. The military leadership has promised a free and fair elections but not provided a timeline for that yet.
