The Commonwealth has removed Gabon from its formal agenda after the country restored an elected constitutional government following the military coup of August 2023.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) made the decision after reviewing Gabon's progress in fulfilling its commitments under the Commonwealth Charter.

The move follows Gabon's transition from military rule, after the army seized power on 30 August 2023, following a disputed general election.

The military placed then-President Ali Bongo under house arrest, dissolved state institutions, annulled the election results and closed the country's borders.

The Commonwealth partially suspended Gabon a month later.

In July 2025, the bloc lifted the partial suspension after Gabon held elections won by General Brice Oligui Nguema and approved a new constitution through a national referendum.

In its latest decision, CMAG says the bloc considered the restoration of elected constitutional government and the completion of Gabon's transition and recognised the progress made since the lifting of the partial suspension.

The group also offered technical assistance, at the Gabonese government's request, to strengthen the rule of law, separation of powers, democratic institutions, electoral administration and political pluralism.

The decision comes ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting underway in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda.