Salary reminders: a document leak orchestrated to motivate before the referendum, but the coffers are empty

In a move reminiscent of the recently leaked constitutional text, a document containing precise details on Gabonese civil servants' back pay has been discreetly put into circulation.

The lists are out there. With people's registration numbers and the amounts they are due to receive.

How can such confidential information be exposed? Any procedure in this country is a demonstration of amateurism.

This is too much!!!🤦🏽‍♂️ https://t.co/sCmkjHJ324

— The Only 🇬🇦 Non Hypocrite. (@ObiangEtame) November 6, 2024

A tactic probably aimed at rallying a part of the population: by distributing this file, the government ensures that each agent waiting for their arrears can check the amount owed . With the referendum approaching and Oligui's popularity declining, it seems that this action is a last-minute joker, an idea suggested by certain DGSS agents to the "little Machiavelli".

However, the plan is marred by a stark financial reality.

The government has set aside 28 billion CFA francs for back pay for retirees , with payments promised for February 2024, and allocated an additional 19 billion CFA francs in the 2025 budget for further back pay.

In theory, this represents a total of 47 billion FCFA . But in practice, these funds are far from covering the needs: the document reveals in fact 37.88 billion FCFA of recalls for the education sector alone.

This inadequacy is all the more striking as it is accompanied by a controversial decision: 200 new hires have just been announced in the presidential service, a group which does not seem to have any problem paying salaries.

According to an article by Gabon Media Time , the 2025 finance bill provides for an increase in the number of staff at the Presidency of the Republic, from 1,219 agents in 2024 to 1,419 in 2025, or 200 additional agents. This increase is accompanied by an increase in the wage bill, which would increase from 5.5 billion FCFA in 2024 to 6.2 billion FCFA in 2025.

Clearly, the money set aside for recalls is insufficient, and the country's fiscal reality appears to undermine the promise of full payment for still-active agents.

For civil servants, this leak may give hope that they will one day receive what is owed to them. But, given the announced financial limitations and the delicate budgetary situation, this hope could well remain suspended in uncertainty.

The civil servants' payroll was released on November 12, for a total of 35 billion CFA francs. The yes vote in the referendum is being sold at the best of times. #Gabon https://t.co/pzFhVB2Aa3

— Moi MAKAYA (@Moi_Makaya) November 7, 2024

Reminder of Announcements and Sources:

Official Government Announcements :

• Retirees : In January 2024, the Gabonese government released 28 billion FCFA for back pay for retired civil servants, with payments scheduled to begin in February 2024. This amount represents approximately half of the funds needed to align pensions with the 2015 remuneration system. This decision aims to alleviate the financial precariousness of retirees.
  • Source: Gabon Actu
• Active civil servants : In March 2024, the government declared that the payment of back pay for active civil servants was “technically impossible” due to budgetary constraints. Although some reclassifications have resumed, it is difficult to compensate for the arrears accumulated over ten years of freezes on advancements.
  • Source: Gabon Review
• Finance Act 2025 : Adopted in September 2024, it provides for an increase of 19 billion FCFA for miscellaneous expenses, in particular for balance reminders, suggesting a possible future coverage. However, this remains insufficient compared to the total amount due.
  • Source: Focus Group Media

Hirings at the Presidency :

• The 2025 finance bill provides for an increase of 200 agents within the Presidency, bringing the workforce to 1,419 in 2025, with an increase in the payroll from 5.5 billion FCFA in 2024 to 6.2 billion FCFA in 2025.
  • Source: Gabon Media Time