OF BIRDS AND MEN: WHEN RFI COMES TO THE RESCUE OF OLIGUI NGUEMA
Political crisis, economy in ruins, but RFI prefers to talk about Ali Bongo's birds. Attempt at diversion or strategy of forgetting?
Gabon is going through unusual times. A chaotic political transition, an economy in disarray, repeated political purges, and a population at the end of its tether. But what did Radio France Internationale choose to highlight in its latest report? Ali Bongo's birds! A private "collection" that was allegedly stolen from the former president's home. Enough to raise questions: why this topic, and especially why now?
Gabon is going through one of the most troubled periods in its recent history. Between a hastily cobbled-together constitution, controversial referendum elections, and an economy reeling under the weight of scandals and political uncertainty, the country is sinking into a systemic crisis.
Yet, instead of digging into these crucial issues, RFI decides to distract us with an investigation into the disappearance of a handful of exotic birds belonging to Ali Bongo. Far from downplaying the importance of environmental or heritage issues, it is nonetheless difficult not to see in this editorial choice a crude attempt to divert attention from the country's real problems.
Because let's be honest: who in Gabon cares about Ali's parrots when the price of basic necessities is soaring, arbitrary arrests are increasing, and the future of the country remains suspended on opaque decisions taken in the upper echelons of Libreville?
This is not the first time that Ali Bongo has returned to the spotlight since his dismissal in August 2023. Between the spotlight on his lifestyle and the trials brought against his relatives, the former president seems to have become the perfect alibi to explain all of Gabon's current ills.
And what if the goal of this article on birds was precisely to once again put Ali Bongo's name at the center of attention, not to rehabilitate him, but to better justify the actions of the current government? By rehashing the former president's escapades, we divert attention from the flagrant failure of the transition led by Oligui Nguema. Because in this media theater, the more we point the finger at the former regime, the more we allow the general-president to pose as a savior, a repairer of the errors of the past.
A diversion that says a lot
While RFI is wondering about the fate of macaws and other luxury toucans, the Gabonese are wondering about much more fundamental questions:
Why is the transition marked by an unprecedented political purge, where even female figures like Sylvia Bongo or Lucie Opiangah find themselves arbitrarily arrested?
How can we explain that the economy, already fragile under Bongo, now seems to be in agony under Oligui?
Where has the promise of reconciliation and justice gone after the transition?
By dwelling on details as trivial as stolen birds, RFI is playing the dangerous game of a political elite that seeks to dilute popular anger and mask its own excesses. A media strategy that consists of distracting in order to better divide and confuse.
The Gabonese people deserve better. Better than articles about parrots, better than leaders who cling to power acquired by force, and better than international media that seem complicit in these diversions.
Because if Ali's birds are an anecdote, Gabon is a tragedy. It is time for the spotlight to finally turn to those who are suffering and to the real issues facing this country in search of justice and dignity.
Gabon is going through unusual times. A chaotic political transition, an economy in disarray, repeated political purges, and a population at the end of its tether. But what did Radio France Internationale choose to highlight in its latest report? Ali Bongo's birds! A private "collection" that was allegedly stolen from the former president's home. Enough to raise questions: why this topic, and especially why now?
When drama becomes anecdotalAli's birds?
— Omar Bongo Ondimba (@OmarBongoOdimba) December 2, 2024
If this is your priority, I worry about the future. While some talk about feathers, others should be concerned with raising Gabon.
A country is not rebuilt with distractions. https://t.co/b4Cn1BdvTm
Gabon is going through one of the most troubled periods in its recent history. Between a hastily cobbled-together constitution, controversial referendum elections, and an economy reeling under the weight of scandals and political uncertainty, the country is sinking into a systemic crisis.
Yet, instead of digging into these crucial issues, RFI decides to distract us with an investigation into the disappearance of a handful of exotic birds belonging to Ali Bongo. Far from downplaying the importance of environmental or heritage issues, it is nonetheless difficult not to see in this editorial choice a crude attempt to divert attention from the country's real problems.
Because let's be honest: who in Gabon cares about Ali's parrots when the price of basic necessities is soaring, arbitrary arrests are increasing, and the future of the country remains suspended on opaque decisions taken in the upper echelons of Libreville?
Ali Bongo, the perfect scarecrowWe have no electricity, we have no work, but do you think we're going to let ourselves be lulled to sleep by articles about Ali's birds flying? Thank you very much @oliguinguema for allowing us to see the former president's felines, oh what progress...
— Fleur de Miranda 👑 (@fleur_miranda) December 2, 2024
This is not the first time that Ali Bongo has returned to the spotlight since his dismissal in August 2023. Between the spotlight on his lifestyle and the trials brought against his relatives, the former president seems to have become the perfect alibi to explain all of Gabon's current ills.
And what if the goal of this article on birds was precisely to once again put Ali Bongo's name at the center of attention, not to rehabilitate him, but to better justify the actions of the current government? By rehashing the former president's escapades, we divert attention from the flagrant failure of the transition led by Oligui Nguema. Because in this media theater, the more we point the finger at the former regime, the more we allow the general-president to pose as a savior, a repairer of the errors of the past.
A diversion that says a lot
While RFI is wondering about the fate of macaws and other luxury toucans, the Gabonese are wondering about much more fundamental questions:
Why is the transition marked by an unprecedented political purge, where even female figures like Sylvia Bongo or Lucie Opiangah find themselves arbitrarily arrested?
How can we explain that the economy, already fragile under Bongo, now seems to be in agony under Oligui?
Where has the promise of reconciliation and justice gone after the transition?
By dwelling on details as trivial as stolen birds, RFI is playing the dangerous game of a political elite that seeks to dilute popular anger and mask its own excesses. A media strategy that consists of distracting in order to better divide and confuse.
The Gabonese people deserve better. Better than articles about parrots, better than leaders who cling to power acquired by force, and better than international media that seem complicit in these diversions.
Because if Ali's birds are an anecdote, Gabon is a tragedy. It is time for the spotlight to finally turn to those who are suffering and to the real issues facing this country in search of justice and dignity.
Priority management is quite vague… is it really a subject the birds of @PresidentABO ? There is better to do as mentioned the ambitious infrastructure projects and the urgent social issues. But where are the priorities in your information management #rfi ? #gabon
— Claire Kodia (@ClaireKodiOff) December 2, 2024
Ridiculing the Bongos to mask the failure of the transition? Mission accomplished for #RFI . While Oligui purges and destroys the economy, we are told about birds... An insult to the intelligence of the Gabonese.
— Séraphine Mavoungou (@serafinevg) December 2, 2024
