"LE GABON ENERVANT" OR "ANNOYING GABON"

 

    English version The expression "iron sharpens iron" is derived from Proverbs 27:17 in the Bible, which states something like this: "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." This is meant to suggest that just as iron tools or blades are sharpened through contact with other iron or hard rocks, people can also improve and grow through interaction, challenge, and collaboration with others. In the context of Gabon, iron sharpens iron means that people should accept competition as a necessity for them to become more effective and competent and that just following politicians like sheep will only lead them where sheep end up: to slaughter! For the progress of a people or a country, individuals or groups with different skills and perspectives need to come together to challenge and refine each other's ideas. This collaborative process can lead to innovation and progress, much like how iron tools become sharper and more effective through mutua

        English version   These days in Gabon, Brice-Clotaire Oligui-Nguema’s brand of populism has seemingly turned the majority of the population into blind sheep who are no longer using common sense to evaluate the military regime in power.   We all know that it's essential for citizens to be informed and critical thinkers when evaluating political leaders, because blindly following politicians can lead to misinformed decisions, lack of accountability which leads to corruption and abuse of power and to the inevitable erosion of democracy.   Citizens should know their politicians and scrutinize their policies, their records, and past actions. Citizens should never be afraid to challenge politicians and demand clear explanations. It is by being politically active and engaged citizens, that it can insured that the government will work for the benefit of all.   This blog supports the initiative taken by Daniel Mengara and his coalition, to challenge the regim

    English version   About a year ago, the Council of Ministers published the list of appointments of the members of Raymond Ndong-Sima's cabinet. That cabinet was made of 80% people from the Fang community. This blog, like many Gabonese, was outraged by this state of affairs, because in the republic, we must ensure inclusion and diversity in the upper echelons of the State.   The reason we need diversity and inclusion in State appointments is because a diverse civil service is better equipped to understand and respond to the needs of a diverse population. A civil service that reflects the diversity of the public it serves can foster trust and legitimacy in government.   The last council of ministers reported on the appointments in the cabinet of Séraphin Moundounga at the Economic and Social Council. We have been witnesses to mono-ethnic appointments.   People like Séraphin Moundounga should understand that inclusion and diversity are fundamental principles of

 

    English version In Gabon, a campaign asking Gabonese people to vote yes to a referendum is underway. However, no one has explained to the Gabonese people in details the content of this referendum. How can serious people ask a people to vote without giving to this people all the explanatory elements allowing them to vote with knowledge of what they are voting for?   A referendum is a process of direct democracy in which citizens are asked to vote on whether or not to support a specific issue, often of legislative or constitutional nature. The referendum usually focuses on specific issues such as constitutional changes, important laws, or public policy issues.   The referendum question must be clearly worded so that voters understand exactly what they are voting on. Citizens usually vote for or against a proposal. The referendum is a powerful tool that allows citizens to have a direct voice in major political decisions. But a good referendum depends on the clarity of th

    English version After the American presidential debate, The New York Times published the opinion of 14 of their journalists to assess who won and who lost the debate. We are publishing the article below so Gabonese journalist can see how their job could be well done if they applied themselves to excellence and to what is relevant to their readers.   ‘Trump Brought Darkness; Harris Brought Light’: 14 Writers on Who Won the Presidential Debate Who won and why? Kristen Soltis Anderson , contributing Opinion writer The debate was in some ways more substantive than I expected, but the bar was dreadfully low. Kamala Harris has sought to avoid being tied to the current state of affairs in our country by treating Donald Trump as the de facto incumbent, as he has dominated the unpleasantness of the past decade of our politics. Trump repeatedly aided her in that quest Tuesday night. Binyamin Appelbaum , member of the editorial board Harris. She kept Trump on the defensive for

    English version This Tuesday, September 10, 2024, in the United States, the presidential candidates faced each other in a democratic debate. Voters will decide who was the winner. How beautiful democracy is! In serious countries, presidential debates play an important role in an electoral process because they help to enlighten voters and ensure that citizens can directly compare the positions, policies and abilities of the two candidates. Presidential debates allow people to test the candidates' skills and get insights on how the candidate would govern if elected. Meanwhile in Gabon, they want to implement a scandalous constitution that will consecrate Brice-Clotaire Oligui-Nguema as a quasi-monarch!     Version française Ce mardi 10 septembre 2024, aux Etats-Unis, les candidats à la présidence s’affrontaient dans un débat démocratique. Les électeurs décideront qui en a été le vainqueur. Que c’est beau la démocratie ! Dans les pays sérieux, les débats prés

      English version A serious people focus and concentrate on important things and do not allow themselves to be preoccupied with distractions that are as minor as they are futile. Serious and responsible societies know that they must prioritize the fundamental and significant issues for their progress and well-being, rather than getting lost in superficial or trivial concerns.   While it is difficult for young people to find a job in Gabon, while electricity and water in homes are increasingly uncertain throughout the country; while the state of the health network requires you to never get sick; What are the Gabonese people, at least a large part of them, doing? They are ecstatic because Brice-Clotaire Oligui-Nguema has taken his children to school. There is every reason to believe that the Gabonese are not willing to concentrate on the management of the major issues impacting their future, and are struggling to integrate into their habits the notion that good citizens

        English version   The term "banana republic" was coined by American author O. Henry in his 1904 collection of short stories, "Cabbages and Kings." This word was inspired by latin america’s countries which economies were heavily reliant on the export of bananas, and in which foreign corporations exerted significant influence if not total control over their economics and politics. The term has since become a metaphor for any country that is heavily dependent on the export of natural resources, that is politically volatile and is often controlled by a small oligarchy. Dear readers, Gabon is a classic banana republic.   Opposite to banana republics, some countries are considered to be "serious countries." While this moniker can itself be subjective, many experts apply it to countries that have the following characteristics:   1.        They prioritize their national interests: serious countries are focused on their own goals and obj