A prolonged teachers’ strike in Gabon has now entered its sixth week, severely disrupting learning across the country as tens of thousands of educators stay away from classrooms in protest over longstanding wage and administrative grievances.
The strike, which began in early January, is driven by anger over a 10-year freeze on civil servant wages, leaving teachers without regular salary progression despite rising living costs. Educators say the freeze, first implemented under the previous government, has left many struggling financially and unable to meet basic needs on their current pay.
The movement involves major education unions, including the National Union of Teachers (SENA), the National Union of Technical and Vocational Teachers and the SOS Education collective, all of which have called for meaningful negotiations and concrete commitments before returning to classrooms. Among the unions’ demands is the release of two colleagues who were detained earlier in the dispute, a condition they say is necessary before talks can resume.
Union leaders and striking teachers also point to longstanding administrative issues, such as unresolved status regularisation and delays in appointments, which date back decades and have undermined morale and career progression in the sector.
The Gabonese government has responded with measures intended to address some concerns, including a fast-track review to clear salary arrears and administrative backlogs. The education ministry also significantly increased its budget, from about US$237 million in 2025 to US$496 million for 2026, in a bid to fund reforms and support teachers.
Despite these commitments, most teachers remain on strike, highlighting the depth of frustration within Gabon’s education workforce. The ongoing disruption has raised fears of lost learning time and the possibility of a broader halt to the academic calendar if a resolution is not reached soon.
The strike represents one of the most significant challenges to President Brice Oligui Nguema’s leadership since he came to power following a military takeover in 2023, when many Gabonese hoped for improvements in public services and governance.
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