The Rentier State in Africa: Oil Rent Dependency & Neocolonialism in the Republic of Gabon

This is a detailed study of the political and economic condition of the Republic of Gabon, focusing on the years of the oil boom (1975-1985). The rise to power of Leon M’Ba and the Foccart Network leading to the Bongo regime are just a few of the key elements examined. Reverberating through this book, with all its concrete, factual information about past and current economic conditions, is the stark realization that the Republic of Gabon – while technically “liberated” from colonial rule – is anything but free.