Gabon ends EU fishing agreement, president cites unfair terms

The European Union has stated it is ready to address concerns raised by Gabon regarding the fishing partnership, saying it wants a “constructive and transparent” dialogue. This follows Gabon’s announcement in June 2025 that it would begin a unilateral termination process of the accord.

President Brice Oligui Nguema described the existing agreement as “deeply unbalanced” and called for renegotiation. The EU, in response, has expressed willingness to negotiate a new, mutually beneficial Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and protocol, aiming for a “renewed, balanced and effective framework.”

The original Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) was signed in 2007 and has allowed European vessels to fish in Gabonese waters. It was renewed several times, with the latest extension running until 2021 for a five-year period.

According to the Gabonese government, the revenue from the deal does not cover the real value of catches, the costs of surveillance and control, or the lost added value from lack of local processing. The government also pointed to weak investments in local development, employment, and national capacity building, as well as increased risks of overfishing due to insufficient transparency and scientific monitoring mechanisms.

The agreement’s total estimated value is around 17 billion CFA francs (approximately 26 million euros), as stated by Gabon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

By Pierre Tchuente — Security and Policy Analyst