"LE GABON ENERVANT" OR "ANNOYING GABON"

 

    English version   The idea that defiance can be an asset to democracy, rather than a threat, has been proven true throughout the world. In this perspective, defiance is a sign of active citizenship   When citizens express defiance, it indicates they are paying attention, holding power accountable, and not passively accepting the status quo. This engagement is crucial for a healthy democracy.   Defiance, through protests, civil disobedience, or critical media such as social media, can highlight injustices and push for necessary reforms, preventing stagnation or authoritarian creep. It serves as a constant reminder to those in power that they are accountable to the people and that their actions are and will always be under scrutiny.   On the other hand, as we have seen abundantly in Gabon, careerism is a frequent hindrance to democracy. When political actors prioritize their personal advancement, power, or financial gain over the pub...

 

    English version   In Gabon, the Bongo regime has succeeded in one thing: the establishment of "fertile chaos." The doctrine of fertile chaos is based on the notion that to stay in power, one must completely fragment the country along ethnic and community lines, with the ultimate goal of making the ruling regime the sole pole of unity in the country. Yesterday the PDG, today the UDB: it's all the same.   Today, the political stance of Gabonese citizens is simply shameful. The elites are doing a great job of undermining the nation. They financially support the degradation of vulnerable populations, and they do so with complete impunity.   During the presidential campaign, we saw Séraphin Moundounga, now Vice-President of the Republic, showering impoverished populations with banknotes, to the frenzied rhythms of an "ikoku" in his native Nyanga region.   The pattern was the same in all nine provinces of the country. This way of operati...

    English version   Tullow Oil has announced the successful completion of the sale of its assets in Gabon to Gabon Oil Company (GOC). The transaction is said to have been completed on July 29, 2025, with Tullow receiving the full proceeds.   This sale involves 100% of the shares in Tullow's subsidiary, Tullow Oil Gabon S.A., which held all of Tullow's non-operated working interests in Gabon. The total cash consideration for the sale is US$307 million, or about 184 billion CFA francs. Tullow Oil's assets in Gabon represented approximately 10,000 barrels of oil per day.   This sale marks Tullow's exit from its licenses in Gabon after 21 years. The proceeds from the sale will be used by Tullow to strengthen its balance sheet by significantly reducing its net debt. Tullow's Chief Financial Officer and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Richard Miller, stated that the company's immediate focus is now on completing its Kenya transaction in 2025 and ...

 

 

 

    English version   C’BON said that he will no longer provide scholarships for Gabonese students to go study in the USA, Canada and France, because of two reasons: 1) Studies in these countries are very expensive; 2) These students often do not return home after their studies.   What C’BON did not say is why more and more Gabonese students decide to stay in the West after their studies.   Dear readers, the truth is that a single factor rarely drives the decision to return or stay abroad among Gabonese graduates; rather, attitudes and social pressures interact in complex ways. For instance, while many graduates express generally pro-return attitudes, reality on the ground in Gabon often favor staying abroad.   Even more critically, employment prospects, especially at key life stages, contribute to students staying abroad. Labor market opportunities are abysmal in Gabon while there is a relative ease of access to jobs in the West, for ...

 

  English version   The reappropriation of public space by the Gabonese population, especially its youth, is a phenomenon destined to endure, whether the regime accepts it or not.   Indeed, neither the election of C’BON, nor the formation of his government, nor the work undertaken here and there, have defused the people's thirst for more freedom.   Social networks and new information and communication technologies continue to play a central role in the process of mobilization and awakening of consciousness. This annoys the regime because it would like to control information, but that is impossible.   Through Facebook, X, Instagram, various blogs, and YouTube, the virtual space breaks down the wall of fear a little more every day. It also ensures massive participation and the transmission of key messages to the entire population.   Furthermore, the rapid increase in the use of NICTs, with a smartphone penetration rate of over 80% among ...

    English version   The case of the islands of Mbanié, Conga and Cocotiers has revealed to us that, apart from their grand pretenses, Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo and Guy Rossatanga-Rignault were not worth anything legally; As the level rose, their limits became obvious. To say so is now an irrefutable truth because the facts support it.   When we observe the legal jousts that are currently taking place between Eddy Minang, the Prosecutor at the Court of Appeal of Libreville, and one of the Bongo-Valentins' lawyers, Pierre Olivier Sur, we can only wonder if we should add the name Eddy Minang to the list of legal impostors opened by Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo and Guy Rossatanga-Rignault.   The legal profession is built on a foundation of seriousness, precision, and a deep understanding of complex rules and principles. Unlike many other fields, the law directly impacts people's lives, freedoms, and livelihoods. Treating it lightly can have severe...