@surualifupi: Libreville, Gabon, December 1977: A gathering of Central African leaders was held in Libreville as the annual meeting of the Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa, known as UDEAC, was convened to strengthen regional cooperation and address trade concerns. The summit brought together the presidents of the Congo People’s Republic and Cameroon, who arrived in Gabon to join their host, President Omar Bongo. Also present was Emperor Jean-Bédel Bokassa of the newly proclaimed Central African Empire, whose arrival drew particular attention from observers across the continent. The two-day meeting was attended amid a climate of cautious optimism, as member states sought to reaffirm the goals of economic unity set forth since the organization’s founding. Emphasis was placed on the shared management of natural resources, particularly the Congo River, which remained vital to trade and communication among the nations of Central Africa. A reaffirmation of the river’s importance was issued at the close of the summit. The declaration followed recent tensions between the landlocked Central African Empire and the Congo over control and handling of river traffic. The dispute, which had threatened to strain regional relations, was quietly addressed in the discussions, with a commitment expressed by all parties to maintain free and equitable access to the river. Throughout the proceedings, the tone was one of fraternity and pragmatic cooperation. President Omar Bongo’s leadership was noted for its conciliatory spirit, while President Ahmadou Ahidjo of Cameroon and President Joachim Yhombi-Opango of Congo were credited for supporting dialogue over confrontation. Emperor Bokassa’s presence, though marked by the grandeur of his new imperial title, underscored the complexities of a region balancing ambition with unity. #History #africa #surualifupi #africantiktok #gabon🇬🇦

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Tuesday 28 October 2025 13:48:09 GMT