"LE GABON ENERVANT" OR "ANNOYING GABON"

English version  This article from L'Union has inspired us to explore a profound debate regarding the crisis of the alignment between training and employment. In this article from the daily newspaper L'Union dated July 16, 2026, we read about the fervor and quasi-military organization surrounding the 2026 Baccalaureate exams. Tens of thousands of young people—more than 28,000 candidates for general education—are mobilizing all their energy, supported by their families and supervised by the State, to secure this precious milestone. However, behind this well-oiled machine (strict security at the entrance, inclusion measures for candidates with disabilities or those in prison), lies a much darker social reality: the mismatch between academic degrees and the actual opportunities available on the job market. The "Bac" in Gabon now seems to lead to a dead end. As the figures in the article for the 2026 session reveal, the trend remains massively unbalanced. For the A1 human...

English version  The press has just highlighted a blatant disconnect between the promises of economic sovereignty championed by CBON and the reality on the ground. While CBON builds its rhetoric around the reclamation of national wealth by the Gabonese people, the article reveals that the true beneficiaries of the redistribution of mining permits in Gabon are foreign operators: Khalil Rihan , a Lebanese businessman. Karl Rolly , his stepson, a French businessman. This duo has established itself as the largest holder of gold exploration and exploitation licenses in Gabon, controlling no fewer than 13 mining permits. To bypass public scrutiny and maintain the illusion of economic patriotism, the article highlights the use of shell companies and ad hoc structures where the actual beneficiaries do not appear directly in the bylaws: Mineralis:  A company (once managed by a member of their family) that has obtained massive permits (Ntoum, 1,400 km²; Lassio, 840 km²; Ndjolé, etc.). E...

English version  The persistence of the water crisis in Gabon illustrates a striking contrast between what is said and allegedly done by CBON, and the reality on the ground. A major paradox is emerging between this year's announcement of a colossal 131 billion FCFA contract with the French group SUEZ, intended to modernize water distribution infrastructure, and the concurrent observed worsening of the water crisis. It seems that the results are not keeping pace with the announced investments. When a project of this magnitude fails to bring relief to the population, it gives the impression of a poorly conceived or rushed project. A mere PR stunt. From an analytical perspective, delays or failures in this type of major public infrastructure work (historically managed largely by SEEG) can often be explained by several factors: Planning deficit:  A frequent disconnect between political announcements aimed at providing quick reassurance and the actual technical timeframes required ...