Gabon’s environment ministry has confirmed that a spreading crude oil slick has polluted large stretches of the country’s southern coastline, sparking concerns over environmental and economic fallout.
The alert, first raised last week, now covers an estimated 70 to 100 kilometres between Mayumba and Mayonami. Videos shared on social media show black streaks along Mayumba’s beaches, prompting government warnings against fishing, swimming, or foraging in the affected areas.
Satellite monitoring by the Gabonese Agency for Aerospace Studies and Observations (AGEOS) identified two slicks covering about 90 to 95 square kilometres between late August and September. Investigators suggest the spill may have originated from either a ship discharge or an offshore oil platform.
Authorities have announced plans for waste clean-up and continued surveillance, though it remains unclear whether operations have fully begun on the ground.
The spill poses a direct threat to local communities that depend on fisheries and tourism, while also underscoring the environmental risks linked to Gabon’s expanding oil exploration. Officials urged residents to remain vigilant as emergency teams coordinate response efforts.
Source:Africa Publicity
