Oligui deprived of live broadcasts: has his team lost confidence?

Gabon has been buzzing with rumors since a rather comical decision hit the tour of the transitional president, General Oligui Nguema. While he had planned a series of speeches to "explain his new constitution" to the population, he now finds himself deprived of his live television broadcasts. Yes, you heard correctly: no more live television broadcasts! The supreme leader prefers to censor himself in view of the lack of enthusiasm generated by his rock star journey.

. @oliguinguema deprived of live broadcasts! According to Makaya sources, the military-president-candidate is so out of control and his tour not as successful as expected that his clan has decided to suspend live television broadcasts during his speeches. pic.twitter.com/VqhF4Qk22G

— Moi MAKAYA (@Moi_Makaya) November 5, 2024

General Oligui has begun a republican tour within the country, a tour organized to allow the transitional president to campaign for a YES vote in the referendum organized on 16/11.
Decryption of his speech at the Omboué stage (Ogooué maritime). #Gabon … pic.twitter.com/bgky1GbOUZ

— SW (@SWDecrypte) November 3, 2024

National tour or control tour?

Yet the initial idea was appealing: a mini-tour to rally the Gabonese around a new constitution presented as the spearhead of his mandate. But very quickly, Oligui's speeches took a turn that was... let's say... unexpected. Between disjointed statements, hazy promises and shaky improvisations, each live address seemed to be a new test for the spectators and a challenge for the journalists tasked with broadcasting "without filter".

To the point that within his own entourage, collaborators like Télésphore Obame Ngomo suggested suspending live broadcasts, for fear that a clumsiness or a fit of laughter would escape the spectators. From now on, General Oligui will have to make do with speeches carefully recorded and edited before being broadcast… Or, not broadcast at all, in the event of a blunder. Gone is the charm of live broadcasts: make way for speeches under surveillance! If even his clan doubts his public eloquence, how can we hope that he will rally the crowds?

Oligui deprived of cameras: a general in a minefield

The tour was not innocent, however. On the contrary, Oligui, who is adopting the posture of a presidential candidate, clearly wanted to take advantage of these moments to solidify his image. He was probably counting on scenes of ovation, shaking hands and emotional faces, the aim being to demonstrate that his draft constitution is the unifying project that Gabon needed. But judging by the sudden caution of his communications team, one can guess that the reality is quite different. According to well-placed sources, the reception in certain regions was… modest, even downright glacial.

Disappointed citizens, murmurs of incomprehension, and this nagging question: "Why sell us a constitution without addressing the real economic problems?" Oligui was hoping for a triumphant tour, but it is a tour de force that he will need to convince.

Constitutional revolution… or television parody?

In short, this political-media spectacle, carefully supervised by a team that now seems as concerned with controlling the cameras as with drafting the constitution itself, leaves the Gabonese perplexed. Instead of rising up as a unifier, Oligui locks himself in calibrated speeches, far from popular enthusiasm. His fans will say that he protects his words to better touch the heart of the nation. His detractors, for their part, delight in this "flight from transparency": a president who advocates renewal but prefers montages to authentic live moments.

Next time, maybe Oligui should opt for a podcast – at least the editing is easier there.