Libreville Declares Emergency Amid Severe Water Shortage Crisis

POLICY WIRE — Libreville, Gabon — Gabon’s capital city, Libreville, has been grappling with a severe water shortage for several months. The crisis is driven by a combination of low rainfall,...

Editorial Desk

August 9, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Libreville, Gabon — Gabon’s capital city, Libreville, has been grappling with a severe water shortage for several months. The crisis is driven by a combination of low rainfall, ageing infrastructure, and rising demand from a growing population.

The Gabonese government declared a state of emergency earlier this month and called in military engineers to assist in addressing the issue. However, a water distribution plan aimed at affected neighborhoods has failed to alleviate the crisis. Private water distributors reportedly took advantage of the scheme, exacerbating the problem.

France 24 reports from Libreville, with Indira Ayuk, Ismaël Obiang Nze, and Giresse Ngaana providing on-the-ground coverage of the ongoing water shortage.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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