Gabon declares water emergency in Libreville, caps prices and deploys security forces

The Gabonese government has declared a state of emergency over the severe water shortage affecting Libreville and surrounding areas. Effective 1 July 2026, new price limits were imposed: a maximum of 3 000 FCFA per cubic metre of potable water, 600 FCFA for 200‑litre drums and 300 FCFA for 100‑litre containers. The measures aim to curb speculation and illegal resale that had pushed prices to 10 000‑20 000 FCFA per cubic metre.

To enforce the caps and ensure distribution, the Forces de défense et de sécurité (FDS) have been tasked with delivering water, collecting cash payments on delivery, and dismantling illicit resale networks linked to the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG). This follows previous emergency interventions by the military engineering corps in 2007, 2009, 2012 and 2025. The water crisis, driven by an unusually weak rainy season and a deteriorating distribution network, has left hundreds of thousands of residents waiting in lines, hospitals struggling with hygiene needs, and businesses facing operational losses. The government has mobilised troops, ordered the seizure of vehicles involved in illegal trade, and announced accelerated repairs of treatment plants and pump imports.