"LE GABON ENERVANT" OR "ANNOYING GABON"

English version The letter sent is in French only. Version française Le 30 Octobre 2011 Le Coordinateur Fédéral Amérique du Nord Le Coordinateur fédéral Europe A l’attention du Conseil du Secrétariat Exécutif de l’Union du Peuple Gabonais - Libreville Gabon Objet : Lettre ouverte au Comite Exécutif de l'Union du Peuple Gabonais Apres le décès du Président Pierre Mamboundou Mamboundou Mmes et Messieurs, membres du Comite exécutif, Les fédérations UPG Amérique du Nord et Europe voudraient vous féliciter d'avoir êtes a la hauteur de la gestion des obsèques de la mort du Président PMM. Le parti sort victorieux de cette douloureuse épreuve. Ce deuil qui nous laisse orphelin d’un président que nous aimions tous ne doit pas occulter la nécessaire obligation de poursuite de la lutte pour la démocratie et la liberté de notre nation. Etant donné le contexte social et politique de notre pays, nous ne devons pas non plus oublier que le PDG et ses alliés s’inscriven...

Fidèle Waura with Georges Mpaga. Fidèle Waura en compagnie de Georges Mpaga (photo Moubamba) English Version As Jean Eyeghe-Ndong showed during his eulogy to Omar Bongo in 2009, in front of all present presidents from Africa and France, Fidèle Waura, a member of the UPG party has declared his freedom by speaking the truth during his eulogy to Pierre Mamboundou at the St Marie Cathedral of Libreville. During this eulogy, Fidèle Waura said the following: “No party in the world can claim legitimacy without free, fair and reliable elections. At stake is the credibility of the country. The introduction of biometry remains one of the projects that Pierre leaves to the Gabonese people. Our responsibility is to honor his memory by completing this last fight”. In pronouncing these strong and profound words, Fidèle Waura, the secretary general of the UPG party, is taking the responsibility to say to those in power in Gabon, some of them were in attendance in the cathedral, that tell...

English version The time has come for the Gabonese people to be firm in their convictions, fearless in their determination and speak their mind and hold politicians accountable. As it has become apparent that Pierre Claver Maganga-Moussavou, an opposition figure, is now asking for the entire opposition to participate in the upcoming legislative election by presenting a single candidate per seat, the rest of the opposition should laugh in his face, because this is a joke that should be rejected for the following reasons: a) Before participating in any electoral process, one has to first believe in the legitimacy of those organizing this election. If the opposition believes, as does this blog, that the people ruling Gabon at the moment are entirely illegitimate, as they came to power as a result of rigging and massive abuse of power by their party, the PDG, the security services and the institutions such as the constitutional court, the senate and the electoral commission. From th...

English Version Those who have convinced themselves that Gabon belongs to them have not yet understood that freedom is incompatible with what is practically a one-party state. In order to give to their deceased leader Pierre Mamboundou, the proper popular funeral he certainly deserved. His party decided to have his body follow an itinerary that included a stop at the roundabout of Rio, a plaza where Pierre Mamboundou organized many political rallies. When the Bongo regime found out that the funeral procession was going to stop at Rio, the police was ordered to forbid the procession from assembly there. Needless to say that Pierre Mamboundou supporters became irate and decided to cancel the scheduled exposure of the body on the ground of the national assembly, where many dignitaries were waiting for it to arrive; and despite the refusal of the police to let them use the roundabout of Rio, the procession forced through the police barricade and was able to provide the memorial they ...

English version - L’Union : The mandate of Gabon to the Security Council of the UN, where it serves as a non-permanent member expires this year. Mr. President, after playing an important role on the international diplomatic scene, do you share the idea that our country could lose its current place among nations at the end of its term? - Ali Bongo : A country is consulted through its influence internationally. And Gabon did not wait to be at the security council to be known, heard, viewed and attract investors from around the world. They come to our country because there are significant economic opportunities. Moreover, for two years, renewed attention of investors in connection with the policy we pursue, is obvious. Gabon has not needed to serve on the Security Council to make decisions. - The comments of "Annoying Gabon": Being a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the UN is nothing special and does not reflect a grand influence of a given state. Rec...

English version -L'Union : Your predecessor, the late Omar Bongo, enjoyed talking with members of the opposition. For your part, your meetings with that political camp are rare. Is it a matter of principle or a matter of agenda? - Ali Bongo : This is not a matter of principle. I was often there, as other collaborators of the president, when he initiated contacts with the opposition. It was often in this room (the Moroccan room). I would rather say that after the elections, I made a call that those who wanted may work together for the development of Gabon. Could it be said that my call was met with a worthy response? I reached out and I did it regularly. Then when I receive a request for a hearing, I look at it, I do not refuse it. Now to discuss? I do not mind, but of what? I was elected on the basis of a program. This is the program that received the majority of votes cast. So the Gabonese people liked the program that would like to put our country on the path of emergin...

English version - L'Union : A year ago you were talking about casting errors, given the choice of men in government and even in the public service. A year later do you think now you have the right people by your side? Are you satisfied with the work of the government? - Ali Bongo : I am not fond of change for fun, but I will say that in life it is necessary to apply a number of adjustments (...). I am in a situation where I observe everybody. If I think that someone is not doing the work as I expect, I am led to make a number of changes. Do not think that the adjustments in relation to casting errors are an end in itself. I have a commitment to succeed on the basis of promises I made to the Gabonese people. From that moment, I'm sorry, anyone who does not seem to work in the spirit I expect and that the people expect, will be eventually replaced. But I will not make changes every day, perhaps make adjustments here and there. Not just in the government, because it's...

English Version -L’Union : In the same vein, Mr. President, during your tour for the relocated cabinet meetings, you announced many projects. This has generated a lot of hope in the population. One fear, however: their impatience. Because there is a lack of communication on the timetable for their implementation. How do you address this communication gap around your actions, which characterizes your government? - Ali Bongo : This miscommunication or non communication does not characterize only the government, it characterizes the country. We have never been good with communication. Rarely has a country done so many things, but that are not known. This is certainly an issue about which solutions will have to be found. This shows somewhere that we do not have good relationships with you men and women of the media. This means that we do not tell you enough about what we do, and you do come enough to look for information as well. I will say that for the impatience of my compatri...