Bongo to Meet Obama in White House

Gabonese Government (Gabon)

9 June 2011

press release

President Ali Bongo will be received on Thursday June 9 at the White House by his American counterpart Barack Obama.

President Bongo has been in the United States since the beginning of the week to attend the UN Security Council, of which Gabon is the president for the month of June.

During their talks, the two presidents will discuss bilateral issues and regional policy, including the latest developments in the areas of security, democracy, governance and economic development.

This is the first meeting between the two presidents since Ali Bongo came to power in 2009. However, it is not the first time the two have spoken.

Last April, Obama telephoned the Gabonese head of state of to discuss the situation in Côte d’Ivoire. The two presidents then shared their concerns about the continuing violence in the country and discussed the need to end the crisis as quickly as possible.

Obama took advantage of this call to thank President Bongo for his leadership and for the important role Gabon has played as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council since January 2010.

Long known for its strategic role in promoting peace and stability in Africa, Gabon was also chosen by the UN to host a regional UN office in Libreville for peacekeeping and conflict prevention in Central Africa from March 2011.

President Ali Bongo wishes to continue to make Gabon a strategic player at Pan-African and international levels, particularly at the AU and UN.

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