Exclusive: Hervé Patrick Opiangah chooses Jonas Moulenda for his first public speaking engagement on the run

Hervé Patrick Opiangah's legal saga continues. During a live broadcast on Jonas Moulenda's YouTube channel, he denied the accusations against him, addressed the prosecutor and transition figures. pic.twitter.com/ii3lARxhqE

— Gabonews (@Gabonews_com) December 15, 2024

Justice at the service of power?

In an intervention as anticipated as it was commented on NENDA TV, Hervé-Patrick Opiangah (HPO), currently a controversial but influential figure in Gabon, breaks the silence.

Accused of rape, incest and endangering state security, he firmly rejects these accusations, which he describes as political manipulation orchestrated by Brice Oligui Nguema. According to him, the transitional president uses the judicial system as a weapon to settle personal scores. Dozens of Internet users reacted live to this interview, with relevant interventions that greatly contributed to the debate.

A purge in progress?

The picture painted by HPO also raises a worrying reality: Brice Oligui Nguema seems to be orchestrating a veritable purge within the Gabonese transition, systematically eliminating personalities who have become inconvenient. This deleterious climate, where arbitrariness replaces justice, gives the impression that only those close to the president – ​​notably his brothers and members of his clan – enjoy a form of tacit immunity. The others, whether former allies or declared opponents, become targets to be taken down.

Accusations that smack of a cabal

The picture painted by HPO and exchanged with the Gabonese is food for thought:
A search carried out outside legal hours and without the presence of his lawyers.
The seizure of property – jewellery and cash – which, according to him, have absolutely no connection with the charges brought.
An initial complaint was withdrawn, then replaced by others, suggesting pressure was put on the new complainants.
But the cherry on the cake? HPO believes that these accusations are pure political cabal. He, who was nevertheless a key player in the current transition, now sees his loyalty rewarded by what he describes as an orchestrated betrayal.

Oligui, judge and executioner?

According to HPO, General Brice Oligui Nguema allegedly used justice to eliminate an adversary who had become a nuisance. A strategy which, beyond the HPO case, illustrates a growing malaise in the Gabonese transition. Because by attacking such a high-profile figure, the current government is sending a clear message: any dissenting voice will be repressed.

This situation also highlights a dangerous precedent. What is the use of justice when it is perceived as an armed wing of the executive branch? Between illegal searches, pressure on witnesses and biased procedures, the facts denounced by HPO could well tarnish the image of the regime already under tension.

HPO, victim or strategist?

Some skeptics, however, wonder: is HPO, a wealthy entrepreneur and influential figure, really the victim of a conspiracy or is he trying to divert attention? He dismisses this hypothesis out of hand, reaffirming his innocence and posing as a defender of the rule of law.

To prove his good faith, he puts forward:

-His innocence in the face of the serious accusations brought against him.
-The legitimacy of the seized funds, the origin of which he promises to justify.
-His role in the economic development of Gabon, boasting of having created thousands of jobs thanks to his businesses.

A call for wisdom to avoid implosion

Beyond the settling of scores, HPO adopts a conciliatory and unifying tone. He urges Brice Oligui Nguema to come to his senses to avoid plunging the country into an unnecessary political crisis. "Appeasement must be our priority," he says, calling on the Gabonese to remain united in the face of these excesses.

But will this speech be enough to calm tensions? Because in public opinion, support for HPO is increasing. Many denounce biased justice and a climate of intimidation that recalls dark hours in Gabonese political history.

A relevant and mobilized audience

One thing is certain: in this case, everyone will be judged, but not by the same courts. The people's court has no official existence, but it is very present. Hervé-Patrick Opiangah's intervention sparked a real tidal wave on social networks, where thousands of Gabonese Internet users reacted live.

Between support, doubts and questions, the comments reflect a vibrant democratic debate. This is a good thing for Gabon: in a country often criticized for the repression of dissident voices, these exchanges show that speech is still circulating, a sign of a necessary democratic breath. Whether we support it or contest it, debate remains the healthiest weapon to enlighten citizens and question the excesses of power.