Pressure is increasing on France to address the detention of Gabonese opposition figure and former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze as President Brice Oligui Nguema begins a three-day state visit to Paris.

Bilie-By-Nze has been held since April on charges of fraud and breach of trust dating back to 2008. His legal team contends the case is politically motivated and has urged French authorities to press Gabon to uphold the rule of law.

Lawyer Arthur Vercken called on France to use its diplomatic influence, describing Bilie-By-Nze's detention conditions as degrading. According to Vercken, the former prime minister is confined 24/7 in a five-square-metre cell and is allowed outside only for a few minutes each week. He said these conditions appear designed to break his client and appealed for France to defend the principles Gabon's leadership claims to respect.

Vercken rejected claims that French intervention would be neo-colonial interference, noting that France has raised human rights concerns with countries beyond its former colonies. Meanwhile, Gabonese authorities maintain that the judiciary is independent and deny any political involvement in the case.

During Nguema's visit, he and French President Emmanuel Macron are expected to discuss economic cooperation, mining investment, and defense ties. Bilie-By-Nze's detention is likely to attract renewed international attention amid these talks.