"LE GABON ENERVANT" OR "ANNOYING GABON"

English version Michael Wolff is an American journalist, media critic, and author. He has written several books about Donald Trump's political campaigns and administrations, starting with the 2018 bestseller Fire and Fury and continuing with his 2025 release, All or Nothing. Wolff is currently at the center of a major national news story involving the White House. Wolff has recently made controversial claims alleging that the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein was the person who originally introduced Melania Trump to Donald Trump. These allegations prompted First Lady Melania Trump to make a surprise White House address a few days ago, vehemently denying any connection to Epstein and calling the claims "unfounded and baseless lies." The situation has escalated legally. Melania Trump has threatened Wolff with a $1 billion lawsuit over the claims. In response, Wolff has fired back with an anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) countersuit. Wolff ...

English version There is a famous adage that reminds us that true wisdom begins precisely when one admits the extent of one’s ignorance. Ultra-crepidarianism is the unfortunate habit of giving one’s opinion on subjects for which we have no credible or proven competence. The Dunning-Kruger effect is this very real cognitive bias, documented in psychology, which shows that the least qualified people in a field tend to greatly overestimate their skills. In fact, they lack the very knowledge that would allow them to realize how wrong they are. Conversely, the mark of true experts is often humility. The more we dig into a subject, the more we become aware of its complexity and all the nuances that still escape us. The pretension of omniscience is often the mask of a superficial reflection. The self-proclaimed experts on whom CBON relies, can no longer even amuse us. The genius that is Geoffroy Foumboula Libeka thinks that he can sweep away a legitimate democratic concern with a rhetorical q...

 

English version The cynical, cold and deeply Machiavellian tone of this editorial is shocking; especially for anyone who advocates for the rule of law and the emancipation of African peoples. François Soudan is known for his editorial line imbued with françafrique. In this text, he delivers what resembles the ideological testament of a certain idea of Africa or an old political guard: the apology of the enlightened despot. To understand why this article is deplorable, it is necessary to dissect the arguments, separate the geopolitical observation that contains a part of truth, from its philosophical conclusion which is extremely questionable. In his first part, François Soudan describes the pragmatism of African states in the face of global crises (Ukraine, Iran). He says that African countries refuse to align themselves with Western injunctions. That they practice non-alignment to protect themselves, because these wars are not theirs, and the West’s variable geometry international law...

English version A state, a head of state, a governance surrounded by systematic applauders and courtisans often condemns itself to stagnation, even blindness. This is why the rejection of these professional applauders who pile around CBON is vital for the viability and development of Gabon. Flatterers create an echo chamber disconnected from reality. When a regime hears only praise, it becomes unable to perceive the real social emergencies, emerging crises or the flaws of its own system. Innovation and the improvement of public policies are born of questioning. If every decision is applauded in principle, the state loses its ability to correct itself and adapt. The unanimity of facade often masks intellectual paralysis. To truly move forward, a nation must rely on critical minds, strong counter-powers and an independent press. True loyalty to the state does not consist in flattering it, but in telling it the truth, even and especially when it disturbs. Historically, regimes that demand...