"LE GABON ENERVANT" OR "ANNOYING GABON"

 

 

 

    English version   Manifest Destiny, a concept coined in the 19 th century, is the idea that Europeans are destined by God, to expand their dominion and spread civilization, theirs of course, across the world.   That ideology drove the European territorial expansion in what is today the USA, and was used to justify the forced removal of Native Americans and other groups from their native territories. It is the same philosophy that was used to justify the enslavement of Africans first and then the colonization of their continent.   That European mindset spread the idea that non-European people had no right to their own lands and riches because they were too backward to know what to do with their blessings. It was by divine order that Europeans had to rule the world and thus exploit local population as a gift for bringing them a superior civilization.   Today in Gabon, when one look at the people who are ruling the country, one can easil...

    English version   The first 100 days in office, is an arbitrary time that is used to evaluate the productivity and success of a President or Prime minister, after taking office.   During these 100 days, leaders are expected to develop their action plan; to understand their environment and what needs to be done to make progress; to secure quick wins and to demonstrate to the population that they understand their job and how to get things done.   Above is the summary of Ossouka-Raponda’s first 100 days. Does this summary meet any reasonable evaluation’s criteria?           Traduction française   Les 100 premiers jours en fonction, sont une période arbitraire qui est utilisée pour évaluer la productivité et le succès d'un président ou d'un premier ministre, après leur entrée en fonction.   Au cours de ces 100 jours, les dirigeants doivent développer leur plan d'action; comprendre leur envi...

 

 

 

  To read cick here Pour lire cliquer ici     Traduction française   Après sept mois de verrouillage, la police a violemment réprimé la réouverture d'églises au Gabon     La police du Gabon, en Afrique centrale, a attaqué et arrêté des membres du clergé dans leurs efforts de mettre fin au projet de réouverture des églises catholiques.   Le 4 octobre, la Conférence épiscopale du Gabon a annoncé que les églises rouvriraient le 25 octobre, après avoir été forcées par le gouvernement de fermer pendant sept mois pour le confinement.   «Le dimanche 25 octobre 2020, nous, vos évêques, célébrerons la passion du Seigneur comme un grand acte de pénitence dans chacune de nos cathédrales avec l’action d'ouvrir les portes pour implorez la miséricorde de Dieu sur notre nation », lit-on dans la déclaration des évêques.   Cependant, le gouvernement a publié le 16 octobre un communiqué sur le culte public, qui a retardé les réouv...

 

    English version   A great Gabonese has left us: Paul Okoumba d’Okwatsegue   A native of Haut-Ogooué, Paul Okoumba d’Okwatsegue was the personified antithesis of all the stereotypes unfortunately often held about officials from this province: he was cultured, eloquent, handsome, refined; and above all, in his diplomatic career he was recognized as one of the best in Gabon and even in Africa in the 1970s and 1980s.   Indeed, Paul Okoumba d’Okwatsegue was equal to the best African diplomats of his generation: William Aurélien Eteki Mboumoua of Cameroon; Amara Essy from Ivory Coast; Edem Kodjo from Togo; Peter Onu from Nigeria; Ide Oumarou from Niger; Diallo Telli from Guinea Conakry; Alioune Blondin Beye from Mali; etc.   Paul Okoumba d'Okwatsegue was universally admired and respected by Gabonese from all walks of life, yet he was Minister of Foreign Affairs for only 2 years, from 1974 to 1976.   Did you know that Paul Okoumba ...

    English version   According to Africa Intelligence, not getting along for several years now, the two national predators, Sylvia and Pascaline Bongo, have made peace. This reconciliation of convenience is certainly the result of Ali Bongo being sidelined.   The most immediate sign of this reconciliation would be the removal of Ali and Sylvia Bongo's lawyer from the succession case regarding the distribution of the wealth of the late Omar Bongo, the Frenchwoman Claude Dumont-Beghi. In this case, Ali and Sylvia Bongo are opposed to Pascaline Bongo. Pascaline Bongo’s return into favor at the presidential palace inevitably led to the calming down on both sides.   Remember that Pascaline Bongo had been stripped of her title of "High Representative" of Ali Bongo. Then, following Ali Bongo's stroke, Pascaline Bongo is said to have put her networks at the service of Brice Laccruche. But after the sidelining of the latter and the rise in power of Noure...

 

To read the article click here Pour lire l’article cliquer ici Traduction française   Les restrictions dues au coronavirus causent des tensions dans les églises du Gabon     Les dirigeants d'Églises au Gabon sont engagés dans une lutte féroce avec le gouvernement alors qu'il se prépare à rouvrir les lieux de culte après des mois de fermeture induite par le coronavirus, accompagnées par des restrictions jugées beaucoup trop sévères pour les familles pauvres.   Les autorités ont déclaré que les églises et les mosquées pouvaient rouvrir le 30 octobre après avoir été fermées depuis mars, à condition de respecter des protocoles sanitaires stricts, y compris l'obligation de produire un résultat négatif au test Covid-19. La prise de la communion reste interdite.   "Nous trouvons très difficile la mesure appelant nos fidèles à présenter un test COVID négatif, qui coûte désormais de l'argent et risque de créer une discrimination entre les moins aisé...

          English version   Basil Mve-Engone was so subservient to the Bongos, during his service as Archbishop of Libreville, that the Gabonese Catholic faithful ended up dissociating themselves from their church because it had become unrecognizable.   Historically and on all continents, dictatorships have always believed that they could replace the faith of the people. But each time, the resistance of the church has always overcome dictatorships.   We note in Gabon that after the departure of Monsignor Basile Mve-Engone, the words of the new Catholic leaders are now unambiguous in their condemnation of the dictatorship. Indeed, no more complacency, softness and lack of conviction in the face of dictatorship. Catholic leaders are now making clear and unmistakable statements against dictatorship in the face of the entire country.   Wisdom teaches us that a person of conscience cannot participate actively in something...