Suspension of political parties: Oligui's big maneuver?
The Gabon2025 editorial team has received a flood of testimonies in recent weeks reporting a series of blatant contradictions in the management of political parties and associations under the transition led by Brice Oligui Nguema. While the transition process promised democratic renewal, it now seems to be drifting towards practices of political lock-in.
Between the general ban on parties, the ambiguous appearances of supposedly "neutral" associations, and the contradictions with the Transition Charter, the situation raises profound questions about the integrity of this supposed political opening.
Ban on political parties: except the CEO, of course
Barely had the transition begun when the ban on the activities of all political parties fell like a guillotine . The Gabonese people were surprised to see this announcement putting all partisan activity on hold… with one exception. Indeed, the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), formerly at the heart of the Bongo “monarchy” and the target of Oligui Nguema’s breakaway speeches, was miraculously spared from this ban.
Better still: the PDG, now the only active party, unashamedly displays its support for the constitutional referendum desired by the head of state. This stance naturally raises questions about the sincerity of the process.
How can a transition that is supposed to embody "political neutrality" keep the PDG in action while all other parties find themselves gagged? This situation fuels the idea of a biased transition, where the only authorized political actor becomes, by a strange irony, the party of the old regime.#GABON Communiqué 50 from the CTRI prohibiting abusive photo names of the President of the CTRI by Political Parties and Associations created from scratch for the YES campaign for the referendum on November 16, 2024 Here is Communiqué 67, a reminder to order. Nothing works🙄 Uh, the sanction @oliguinguema
— Marie-Sylvie Hervo-Akendengue (@HervoMarie) October 29, 2024
Proliferation of “neutral” associations: disguised support for power
GABON / CONSTITUTIONAL REFERENDUM:
— Gabonews (@Gabonews_com) November 1, 2024
The Colibri Association continues its awareness of PK9 pic.twitter.com/f1tBhen8c6
Far from strengthening political freedom, this ban on parties seems to have opened the way to a new actor: supposedly "neutral" associations that are springing up everywhere and seem strangely united in supporting the current regime. These organizations, sporting names and objectives that are supposedly apolitical, are increasing the number of demonstrations of support for the transition, thus circumventing the ban on parties. And while their speeches are supposed to be neutral on the surface, they are just as supportive of the constitutional projects as the PDG himself.
On social media, many Gabonese observers denounce this proliferation of complacent associations. Although these organizations claim to be independent, they adopt pro-regime positions that leave one perplexed. Who are these new actors? What interests do they really defend? And how can one claim neutrality while ardently supporting a referendum proposed by a power that locks down the political space?
In Gabon there are more than 180 political parties and more than 300 associations that have only one goal: to sing the praises of the Françafrique Bongo transition led by the poodle 🐩 Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema
— Montgomery Marcus Garvey (@Mont_Marcus_G) October 31, 2024
Contradiction with the Transition Charter: freedom of association… under conditions?
The Transition Charter itself stipulates freedom of association for Gabonese citizens, an essential principle for a democratic process. Article 6 of this charter explicitly guarantees this freedom , a promise of citizen participation in the construction of the new Republic. However, the general ban on political parties runs counter to this provision, limiting the plurality of opinions and preventing historical parties from participating in the national debate.
#GABON #BREAKING 🇬🇦 @oliguinguema @PresidenceGA @ctrigabon
— Marie-Sylvie Hervo-Akendengue (@HervoMarie) October 31, 2024
Very good and when will there be sanctions against the politicians of the pseudo civil society and the associations who do not respect the communiqués 50 and 67 of the CTRI vuvulazeurs 🚶♀️ #RUPTURE 🇬🇦 pic.twitter.com/KZumlMn7Mu
This contradiction between the commitments of the charter and the decisions taken by the transition is increasingly denounced. How can we demand a democratic transition while flouting the basic principles of freedom of association? This restriction seems to serve a desire for control rather than that of genuine political openness.
A transition under control, but for how long?
Faced with these contradictions, the Gabonese people are entitled to ask themselves: does the transition led by Oligui Nguema really represent a democratic momentum or is it only a reorganization of the power in place? By silencing the opposition parties while leaving the PDG free to act and by favoring docile "neutral" associations, the transitional regime gives the image of a facade of democratization, where the cogs of the old system continue to turn, disguised under the appearance of change.
The path to transition seems paved with unfulfilled promises and circumvented principles. With each announcement, the announced "break" looks more like a disguised continuity, fueling doubts about the future of a true democracy in Gabon. As for the Gabonese, they continue to observe, between skepticism and weariness, this curious political ballet where only certain dancers are allowed to enter the stage.Top of the form
