US Interference in Africa: USIP Vice President Joseph Sany and Ambassador Vernelle Trim Fitzpatrick Complicit in Electoral Fraud in Gabon?

On November 16, 2024, Gabon held a constitutional referendum marked by absurd scores and fanciful turnout, sometimes showing turnout rates of 120% in some polling stations.

The results, described as "Stalinist" by many observers, have sparked strong criticism and questioning. Among the international officials singled out, Dr. Joseph Sany, vice president of the African Center of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), and Ambassador Vernelle Trim FitzPatrick, ambassador representing the United States in Gabon, are accused of complicity in this democratic masquerade in order to protect American interests, which have just won lucrative military cooperation contracts ... to the detriment of France.

Obvious fraud, fanciful participation: the USA turns a blind eye

The referendum recorded turnout and voting rates for "yes" this Saturday that defy all logic. The official turnout was announced that same evening at over 71%, with a vote in favor of "yes" exceeding 92%. Two days later, the turnout was revised to 53%, in light of the images of empty polling stations that circulated on social networks. Then, a government document giving the results by region brought to light particularly crude trickery, such as turnout rates of 100% in all polling stations in the same region, and a result of 100% for "Yes" in each of these polling stations, which is statistically impossible in a democracy.

These figures, described as "fanciful" or even "obviously false" by many experts, have been questioned by civil society organisations, opposition figures and many Internet users, who have denounced massive manipulation of ballot boxes and voting slips.

More than disinterest: complicity

Dr. Joseph Sany and Ambassador Vernelle Trim FitzPatrick, as representatives of the international community, had a duty of rigorous monitoring and impartiality. They were among the international observers designated to monitor this election which follows, let us recall, a coup d'état by General Oligui on August 30, 2023.

However, their behavior during the referendum was seen as lax and more than complacent. They apparently willfully turned a blind eye to the glaring anomalies, thereby helping to legitimize a contested electoral process. Dr. Joseph Sany, as Vice President of the USIP Africa Center, should have exercised increased vigilance. His silence in the face of irregularities is seen as tacit approval.

Ambassador Vernelle Trim FitzPatrick, for her part, has avoided publicly condemning the irregularities observed, despite tangible evidence presented by local and international organizations. This attitude is interpreted as an attempt to cover up the maneuvers of the Gabonese government for obvious reasons.

Harmful interference by the US Democratic administration

Critics go further, accusing the Democratic administration of the United States of harmful interference in Africa, motivated by military interests that they have never made a secret of. Indeed, negotiations have just been concluded for military cooperation between Gabon and the United States, under the leadership of General Oligui, current president of the transition and main supporter of the "yes" vote in the referendum. The United States will therefore become, under the leadership of the general, the privileged partners of this small country with large oil resources, to the detriment of its historic ally, France. These are the terms of their agreement of October 3, 2024: "The United States and the Republic of Gabon hereby declare their common intention to maintain regular contacts in order to strengthen relations between the United States and Gabon with the objective of establishing a stronger and more sustainable comprehensive and multi-sectoral strategic partnership. In addition, the United States and Gabon are working to conclude a defense cooperation agreement. »

This situation has therefore led to excessive benevolence on the part of American observers, who seem to have favoured the consolidation of these interests rather than the integrity of the democratic process.

Calls for responsibility

Calls for accountability and sanctions are being made, both domestically and internationally, to counter this interference and restore transparency in the electoral processes. Gabonese civil society organizations and opposition parties are demanding that Dr. Joseph Sany and Ambassador Vernelle Trim FitzPatrick be held accountable for their actions. Calls for economic and diplomatic sanctions against Gabon are underway, in protest against the manipulation of the referendum results.

International investigations are also being called for by independent observers to establish the truth about the role of observers and diplomatic representatives.

Impact on democracy in Africa

This situation constitutes a genuine international scandal and highlights the dangers of political and military interference by foreign powers in the internal affairs of African countries. It calls into question the credibility of international observers and erodes the confidence of African populations in democratic institutions.

The alleged complicity of Dr. Joseph Sany and Ambassador Vernelle Trim FitzPatrick in the fictitious results of the Gabonese referendum is unacceptable. It is imperative that these individuals be held accountable for their actions, in order to prevent such manipulations in the future and strengthen democracy in Africa. The international community must remain vigilant and firmly commit to ensuring the transparency and integrity of electoral processes in developing countries.