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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Gabon International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Gabon International Parental Child Abduction Information

Gabon

Gabon
Gabonese Republic
Exercise increased caution in Gabon due to crime, civil unrest, and health. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory.

Updated after periodic review to include an H indicator for health.

Exercise increased caution in Gabon due to crime, civil unrest, and health. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory.

Exercise Increased Caution in:

  • Libreville and Port Gentil due to crime, which can include robbery, vehicle break-ins, and residential burglaries.

There is an increased military presence throughout Libreville and other areas of Gabon. Demonstrations may occur with little or no warning. A nighttime curfew is in effect and U.S. citizens should confirm and follow instructions of local authorities.

Access to medical care is limited. Medical facilities are limited in the quality and standard of care they can provide. They may not have adequate supplies of basic medications, especially outside of large cities.

Read the Country Information Page for additional information about travel to Gabon.

If you decide to travel to Gabon:

  • Respect the curfew.
  • Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
  • Check local media for breaking events and prepare to adjust your plans.
  • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
  • Have evacuation plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
  • While travel medical insurance is recommended for all travelers, local medical facilities are likely to require full payment in cash at the time of service and may otherwise deny care.
  • Travelers to Gabon should have medical evacuation insurance.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Gabon.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
Yes
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Libreville

B.P. 4000
Libreville, Gabon
Telephone: +(241) (0)11-45-71-00
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(241) (0)77-38-01-71
Fax: +(241) (0)11-45-71-05
Email: 

For information concerning travel to Gabon, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Gabon. 

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here. 

Gabon acceded to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) on July 6, 2010; however, the United States and Gabon are not yet treaty partners.  Until Gabon and the United States establish a treaty relationship per Article 38 of the Convention, parents whose children have been abducted from the United States to Gabon or wrongfully retained in Gabon are unable to invoke the Convention to pursue their children’s return or to seek access to them.

Gabon acceded to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Convention) on December 6, 2010. However, the United States and Gabon are not yet treaty partners. Until Gabon and the United States establish a treaty relationship per Article 38 of the Convention, parents whose children have been abducted from the United States to Gabon or wrongfully retained in Gabon are unable to invoke the Convention to pursue their children’s return or seek access to them. Return:

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Gabon and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under The Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Website
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction may be considered a crime in Gabon.

The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is in charge of all social and family issues in Gabon.

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Gabon and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States. Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the U.S. Embassy in Gabon for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Gabon are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy Libreville posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

The General Directorate of Social Affairs (DGAS) provides mediation services.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: March 19, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Libreville
B.P. 4000
Libreville, Gabon
Telephone
+(241) (0)11-45-71-00
Emergency
+(241) (0)77-38-01-71
Fax
+(241) (0)11-45-71-05
Email
LibrevilleACS@state.gov
Website
https://ga.usembassy.gov/

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