Tata Huguette, or the art of the splits: why is "Taratata" turning against Brice Oligui?

The social media diva turns her jacket

There are some about-faces that leave you speechless, and that of Tata Huguette, aka "Taratata", is now at the top of the rankings. Revealed for her escapades as an escort in Quebec, presented as an influential blogger in Gabon, she has established herself in recent years as one of Brice Oligui's most fervent supporters. Rave videos, active campaign for the constitutional referendum: the lady has spared no effort to glorify the transitional president.

But now, in the space of an explosive video published on her social networks, "Taratata" goes on the attack. Her honeyed tone has given way to a bitter diatribe, directly targeting Oligui and his decision to hunt down diaspora activists. She denounces, among other things, the president's polygamy, his inability to manage the country, and even suggests that he "divided the beds in his house before dividing Gabon."

Disappointed love or dry bank account?

Ah, Tata Huguette, aka Taratata, she never misses an opportunity to get noticed. When the coffers were full, she sang my praises at the top of her lungs. Now that it's empty, she suddenly finds her freedom of expression again. https://t.co/oJ1WyUIirL

— Brice “Oli-ment” Nguema - Parody (@BriceOLINguema) December 16, 2024

The question on everyone's lips is simple: why this spectacular turnaround? Tata Huguette has never hidden her admiration for Oligui. So what is motivating this abrupt change?

Several hypotheses are circulating. The most romantic, but also the most juicy, would be that it is a heartache. The blogger would have hoped for personal favors from the strongman of Gabon. But in a transition where priorities are already unclear, perhaps there was no room for Tata Huguette. The dig about "divided beds" could be a disguised settling of scores, a personal reproach disguised as political criticism.

However, another, much more pragmatic hypothesis is emerging: what if the state coffers, now emptied, no longer fed the influencers? For years, it has been common knowledge that many pro-regime bloggers and activists are discreetly financed to campaign in favor of the government. Flattering videos and patriotic posts would therefore be monetized. So, faced with the drying up of public finances, wouldn't Tata Huguette have simply lost her monthly check?

Tata Huguette or Taratata ... faithful when the coffers were full, indignant when they are empty? The real question: romantic disappointment or funding cut? We hesitate... 🤔 https://t.co/WWlanczXmR

— Séraphine Mavoungou (@serafinevg) December 16, 2024

A speech between opportunism and spite

In her intervention, the blogger plays a well-known number: that of the indignant who suddenly wakes up. But her change of heart leaves one perplexed. Why be offended today by a policy that she defended with fervor yesterday? Was the hunt for "activists" in the diaspora less revolting when she received emoluments?

The diaspora, the main target of the presidential video, did not fail to highlight this double discourse. And in the comments, some recall that Tata Huguette had been particularly virulent towards those who criticized Oligui during the campaign for the constitutional referendum. This sudden turnaround looks more like a wallet affair than a sudden awareness.

The Gabonese influencer syndrome

Tata Huguette is not an isolated case. Gabon is full of media figures whose political allegiance seems dictated by bank transfers rather than convictions. When money flows freely, praise flows. But at the slightest budgetary drought, criticism rains down.
This phenomenon highlights a larger problem: the use of influencers as a propaganda tool. These figures, rather than defending ideas, turn into puppets manipulated by envelopes under the table. And when the coffers are empty, the game stops.

Tata Huguette, mirror of the flaws of the Oligui system

The case of Tata Huguette, although seemingly anecdotal, illustrates the limits of a power that has invested in image instead of building solid foundations. If the president is struggling to contain discordant voices, it is perhaps because those who praised him yesterday were motivated only by reasons far removed from love of country.

The blogger may have twisted the knife with her story of "divided beds," but she highlights a brutal truth: when support for power is based on posts rather than convictions, a U-turn is never far away. As for Tata Huguette, she is now the new muse of critics, ready to capitalize on a new role, that of an impromptu opponent. But given the fragility of the convictions of these "hunger influencers," a question arises: until when?

When the coffers are empty, Tata Huguette alias Taratata suddenly finds her freedom of expression again.

Yesterday, hymns for Oligui, today sermons. But then, what is really missing?

Tickets or kisses?

With jackets spinning so fast, we…

— Omar Bongo Ondimba (@OmarBongoOdimba) December 16, 2024