France Urged to Free Gabon Opposition Leader During President’s Paris Visit

France faces growing pressure to address the detention of a top Gabonese opposition figure as President Brice Oligui Nguema starts a three-day state visit to Paris. The detained man, former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, is a key critic of Nguema’s government. Rights groups and political analysts say his arrest raises serious questions about France’s ties with Gabon. The visit is meant to strengthen relations, but critics argue Paris must publicly demand the opposition leader’s release to uphold its values.