Short history of Gabon by De Marco Lina

Author:De Marco, Lina
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-28T00:00:00+00:00

Gabon under French Rule (Early 20th Century)

The Establishment of Colonial Administration

One of the first steps in the establishment of colonial administration in Gabon was the creation of a centralized system of governance that could oversee the various territories within French Equatorial Africa. The French established Libreville as the capital of Gabon and the administrative center of the colony. From Libreville, French colonial officials, including a governor, oversaw the implementation of colonial policies and the administration of justice, finance, and public order. The French also established a network of regional and local administrators who were responsible for enforcing colonial laws and policies at the grassroots level. These administrators, often referred to as "commandants," were typically French nationals or, in some cases, Africans who had been educated in the French system and were seen as loyal to the colonial authorities.

To solidify their control over Gabon, the French colonial administration implemented a system of indirect rule, whereby they co-opted local leaders and chiefs into the colonial government. These local leaders were given official titles and responsibilities, and they were expected to enforce colonial policies, collect taxes, and maintain order in their communities. In return, they were granted certain privileges, including protection from rival leaders and the opportunity to share in the wealth generated by the colonial economy. This system of indirect rule allowed the French to govern with relatively few resources, as it relied on the cooperation of local elites to maintain control over the population. However, it also reinforced existing social hierarchies and created new forms of inequality, as those who collaborated with the colonial authorities were often rewarded with greater power and wealth.

The establishment of colonial administration in Gabon was closely linked to the French desire to exploit the region's natural resources for the benefit of the metropole. Gabon was rich in resources, particularly timber, rubber, ivory, and minerals such as manganese and uranium. The French colonial administration implemented policies designed to extract these resources as efficiently as possible, often with little regard for the impact on the local population or the environment. Large areas of Gabon were allocated to French and European companies, which were granted concessions to exploit the land and resources. These companies were given extensive powers, including the right to use forced labor, to extract resources and maximize profits.

One of the most significant industries in colonial Gabon was timber extraction, particularly the harvesting of okoumé wood, which was highly prized in Europe for the production of plywood and other wood products. The French established large-scale logging operations in Gabon's forests, cutting down vast tracts of forest to supply the European market. The timber industry became a cornerstone of the colonial economy, providing significant revenue for the French government and profits for the concessionary companies. However, the expansion of the timber industry had devastating effects on Gabon's environment and local communities. Large areas of forest were destroyed, leading to the displacement of communities that relied on the forest for their livelihoods. The ecological damage caused by logging also

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