Memorial Leon Mba

To celebrate his memory, the Memorial Leon Mba, one of the most beautiful historical sites in Gabon was created in Libreville forty years after his death. President Bongo placed the Memorial's cornerstone on February 9, 2007, and he inaugurated it on November 27, 2007. It was first open to the public in February 2008. This site is dedicated to their leader, who led the country to freedom. The most admired leader in the world. The Leon Mba monument is a beautiful complement to the first president's statue, which stood alone.

Leon M'ba was born into a moderately wealthy village family as a member of the Fang ethnic group. He worked in a series of petty jobs after finishing seminary before joining the colonial administration as a customs agent. His political action in support of black people alarmed the French government, and as a result, he was sentenced to prison after committing a minor misdemeanor that would ordinarily have resulted in a modest fine. M'ba was given a second opportunity by the state in 1924 when he was appointed to lead the canton in Estuaire Province. He was condemned to three years in jail and ten years in exile in 1931 after being convicted of participation in the death of a lady near Libreville. He wrote works chronicling the Fang people's tribal customary law while in exile in Oubangui-Chari. His effort was praised by his superiors and he was employed by the local administration.

He began his political career in 1946 and was named Prime Minister on May 21, 1957. He was Prime Minister from February 21, 1961, until February 21, 1961. In 1958, he led an effort to expand Gabon's participation in the Franco-African community. On August 17, 1960, when the United States gained independence from France, he was elected president. In February 1964, political foe Jean-Hilaire Aubame staged a coup d'état and temporarily captured the presidency, but the French intervened and restored order a few days later.

Location: Libreville, Gabon