Political Risk Watch: Gabon’s opposition leader Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze remains jailed for over three months, with lawyers alleging the case is politically motivated and tied to a decades-old private financial dispute; they say he’s been held in harsh solitary confinement and denied access to case files. Franco-Gabonese Business Ties: President Brice Oligui Nguema’s state visit to France is pushing manganese value-add at home, with agreements including an Eramet/Comilog roadmap to process up to 700 kilotons a year by end-2031—while Libreville’s January 2029 export deadline clashes with Paris’ push for more time. Energy & Finance: TotalEnergies reported Q2 net profit doubling to $5.4bn on higher hydrocarbon prices amid Middle East conflict, underscoring how regional shocks keep reshaping investment returns. Mobile Money IPO: Airtel Africa has selected the London Stock Exchange for a planned 2026 IPO of Airtel Money, aiming to unlock value in its fintech unit. Security Cooperation: A West Africa symposium in Accra highlighted the growing role of military chaplains and religious affairs personnel in maintaining cohesion and legitimacy inside armed forces, including Gabon’s participation. Trade & Industry: WTO’s Fish Fund approved $2.2m in grants to help developing members implement fisheries subsidies rules, supporting reporting, data and regulatory upgrades. Market Signals: A solo-travel risk index ranked Gabon among the riskiest destinations for 2026, citing weak healthcare access as a key driver.