The Gabonese heard of State Ali Bongo Ondimba and his Togolese counterpart Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé jointly granted an audience in Libreville on Friday to Commonwealth Nations’ Secretary General Patricia Scotland.
“We were impressed by the range of opportunities offered by the Commonwealth to its member countries”, declared the Togolese Head of State after this meeting at the presidential palace in the Gabonese capital.
Togo and Gabon joined the Commonwealth at the organization’s last summit on June 25 in Kigali, Rwanda.
“It is not a communication operation if we have decided to be part of the Commonwealth”, assured Faure Gnassingbé according to Gabonese media. Libreville and Lomé wish to distinguish themselves within this organization which mainly brings together former British colonies.
“We believe that our States can take advantage of the diversification of our partnerships”, he added, before indicating that Gabon and Togo do not intend to leave the French speaking International Organization, La Francophonie or OIF.
