Liberville - History

Towards the end of the 15th century, the scientific ventures initiated by the peoples of the Iberian Peninsula (Portuguese, Spanish and Majorcan), to check the roundness of the Earth and improve existing knowledge of inhabited lands, led the Portuguese to the neighbouring coast.

This is how, having settled in the Island of Sao Tomι, they discover, in 1473, the estuary of the Como, whose shape reminds them of a « caban », hence the name of « Rio di Gaboa » which will later become Gabon.

In 1482, the first trading posts appear along the coast, along with the first Jesuit missionaries. In the 17th century, they are followed by the Dutch and the English, then in the 18th century by the French.

The trade of tropical products is flourishing, but even more successful is the search for black slaves, destined to be sold in America. Lambarιnι and Cap Lopez rapidly become thriving market places for human cattle. In an effort to escape from the slave traders, people flee inland and to the north, which explains the still chronic underpopulation of this part of Africa.

At the beginning of the 19th century, following the abolition of the « black trade », the French chase slave traders away, and gain the trust of local chiefs.

On February 1839, they sign a protectorate treaty with King Antchouwe Kowe Rapontchombo, known as King Denis, who controls the left bank of the estuary.

On March 1841, the chief of the right bank, Dowe Louis, known as King Louis, signs a similar document with the future Admiral Bouet-Willaumez. Libreville will be created in 1849.

The presence of the French will improve the cartographie of the country, through their desire to know remote peoples. The Franco-German war of 1871 interrupts these exploratory missions ; they will be resumed at a later date by the Germans and the English.

The French will be back in 1874, to carry on exploring.

The Gabon becomes a French colony in 1883. From 1910 to 1958, it is part of French Equatorial Africa.

On June 23rd 1956, the administrative status changes, due to the promulgation of the "Loi-Cadre", (Law Deferre), which grants it the status of autonomy.

On August 17th 1960, the Gabon becomes independant. The presidential regime is established by the 1961 Constitution, altered by the Law of February 15th 1967, and by other laws establishing the sole party (12/03/1968), the Gabonese democratic Party and the creation of the post of Prime Minister (April 1975).