Music has played a significant role in North African societies during various sociopolitical transitions, including those in Gabon. In these contexts, music serves as a powerful tool for expressing political sentiments and advocating for change. The study employs a qualitative analytical framework to examine case studies from recent sociopolitical transitions in Gabon. The methodology includes thematic analysis of music-related discourses and interviews with musicians and political figures. Music in Gabon has exhibited a clear trend towards more overtly political content, especially during periods of significant societal change and unrest. This shift is evident in the proportion of politically charged songs that have emerged over the past decade. The analysis reveals a strong correlation between shifts in sociopolitical climate and corresponding changes in musical expression. This finding underscores the importance of music as a medium for political engagement and public discourse. Given the findings, policymakers should consider integrating mechanisms that harness the power of music to facilitate dialogue on contentious issues and promote social cohesion.
Ngoma et al. (Sat,) studied this question.