The Political Section is responsible for pursuing the US mission's strategic goals of protecting American citizens, furthering democracy and human rights, and promoting improved health in Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.

A primary duty of the Section is to provide regular reports to the State Department on political events and the human rights climate in both countries. This duty includes drafting appropriate Sections for the following Department of State annual reports:

• Gabon 2003 Country Report on Human Rights Practices [English / Français]
• Gabon 2003 International Religious Freedom Report [English / Français]
• Gabon 2003 Supporting Human Rights & Democracy [English / Français]
• Gabon 2003 Trafficking in Persons Report [English / Français]
• Sao Tome and Principe 2003 Country Report on Human Rights Practices
• Sao Tome and Principe 2003 International Religious Freedom Report
   

In addition, the Section regularly reports to the Department on current events.

Other links to the State Department Reports are as follows:
 

Human Rights Report HRR for Gabon HRR for STP

International Religious Freedom Report IRFR for Gabon IRFR for STP

Trafficking in Persons Report

 

Current Projects

The Political Section works closely with the Defense Attaché Office in support of humanitarian assistance projects financed by the US Department of Defense. See the DAO page for more information.

In 2001, the US Embassy provided a $16,000 Ambassador's Cultural Preservation Fund grant to the Gabonese Ministry of Culture to research traditional Gabonese marriages. The Ministry plans to publish the results.

Through an Ambassador's Fund for Refugees grant, the Embassy funded a $20,000 project to build a library and community center in Tchibanga.

For other US Government-funded aid projects, see the Bilateral Assistance page.

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