Why did Gabonese people resist French colonial rule in the interior?

While the initial French occupation of the interior of Gabon encountered little opposition, the local population eventually resisted colonial rule due to several exploitative practices that disrupted their way of life.12

Resistance was primarily provoked by:

• Economic Interference: French policies disrupted established trade networks and local economic activities.12
• Monopolistic Concessionary Companies: Between 1898 and 1914, the French implemented a policy of developing the economy through these companies, which devastated local settlement patterns, agricultural production, and trade.12
• Exactions and Forced Labor: The colonial administration imposed heavy burdens on the people, including head taxes, labor taxes for public infrastructure projects, and the use of forced labor.12

These policies fundamentally undermined the autonomy and stability of interior communities, leading to significant and widespread resistance against French authority.12