Contradictions

Brice Oligui Nguema : the president of Contradiction

Since coming to power, Brice Oligui Nguema , Gabon's transitional president, is accumulating actions that call into question his initial promises. What was announced as a radical break with the Bongo regime is today marked by numerous reversals. An overview of the main contradictions that are shaking his mandate.

Broken promise to return power to civilians

Since his coup in August 2023, Brice Oligui has pledged to quickly transfer power to civilians, raising hopes of a short transition period . In his first speeches, he had stated that his role would be that of a temporary president, who would quickly organize elections and put Gabon back on the democratic track. A year and a half later, he is still in office, posing in military fatigues and making a series of decisions without a clear timetable for the return of civilians to power. This situation has sown confusion and concern among those who had hoped for a rapid return to constitutional order. Oligui 's continued rule without a clear timetable fuels suspicions about his true intentions. The fact that he continues to govern as a military man reinforces criticism of a power that seems to be taking root despite initial promises of a rapid transition to democracy.

Alliance with PDG, former party of Ali Bongo

Brice Oligui had promised a clean break with the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), the symbol of Ali Bongo’s regime, which was overthrown in the coup. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, he reached an agreement with this party , widely perceived as corrupt and responsible for decades of mismanagement of the country. This turnaround is seen by many observers as a pact of appeasement aimed at keeping power structures intact, in exchange for political support. For Gabonese who had applauded the fall of the PDG, this agreement is a betrayal of hopes for change. It has become clear that Oligui is not seeking to break with the practices of the past, but rather to accommodate them in order to stabilize his power.

The appeal to Marie-Madeleine Mbourantsuo

Another symbol of continuity with the old regime is the involvement of Marie-Madeleine Mbourantsuo in the drafting of the new Constitution. Mbourantsuo , an emblematic figure of the Constitutional Court, has been criticized for her proximity to the Bongo family, of which she was a judicial pillar for decades. Despite this, Oligui chose her to participate in the drafting of the new fundamental law. This choice was surprising, especially since one of the objectives of the transition was to purge the institutions of these figures associated with the past. This decision shows that Oligui is ready to keep certain cogs of the Bongo regime, even if he claims to want to turn the page.

No campaign for Yes... really?

Another striking contradiction concerns the constitutional referendum planned in Gabon. On October 21, 2024, the CTRI issued a statement calling for strict neutrality, prohibiting any promotion of "yes" or "no ." However, in July of the same year, during a speech in Moanda, Brice Oligui had publicly encouraged the population to vote "yes ." This turnaround illustrates an evolution of instructions according to circumstances, raising questions about the coherence of the messages delivered to the Gabonese people.

Step back on transparency of assets and income

One of Oligui ’s first promises concerned transparency in governance, including requiring the president to declare his assets and income. This measure, which was part of the first version of the constitutional draft, mysteriously disappeared from the final version. This reversal raises questions about the sincerity of his commitment to fight corruption, an endemic scourge in Gabon. By removing this provision, Oligui seems to want to protect the ruling class from any investigation into the origins of its wealth, thus reinforcing criticism of a government that is turning away from its promises of transparency.

Controversies surrounding public procurement

Oligui had initially announced that he wanted to favor Gabonese entrepreneurs in the awarding of public contracts , emphasizing the need to revitalize the national economy and encourage the local private sector. However, the most lucrative contracts continue to be awarded to foreign companies, mainly Lebanese and Burkinabé. This contrast between Oligui 's nationalist rhetoric and the reality of the contracts awarded has disappointed many local entrepreneurs, who had expected a more protectionist economic policy focused on Gabonese interests. This lack of economic coherence calls into question his ability to establish a policy in favor of endogenous development.

Change of Article 43 on the presidency for dual nationals

Article 43 of the new Constitution, which now allows dual nationals to run for president , represents a break with previous commitments. Initially, Oligui wanted to limit access to the presidency to Gabonese by birth only, thus excluding dual nationals . This reversal raises the question of the motivations behind this decision. Some observers see it as a maneuver aimed at allowing Omar Denis Bongo Junior, Denis Sassou 's grandson Nguesso , President of Congo-Brazzaville, to accede to the presidency. Omar Denis, although of Congolese nationality, could indeed take advantage of his dual ancestry to run for the post, a prospect that fuels speculation about external influences weighing on Oligui .

Why this denial?

Faced with these multiple contradictions, Brice Oligui seems to be increasingly moving away from the reformist , even revolutionary, image he cultivated at the beginning. The much-hoped-for project of transforming Gabon seems trapped in political reversals that fuel skepticism and criticism of the sincerity of his intentions. If Oligui presented himself as a man of change, his current actions reveal a leader inclined to maintain the status quo while consolidating his power.

The Prime Minister

Article 43 of the Constitution only deals with the "election" of the president, while the article concerning the vice president mentions an appointment without requiring the same criteria as Article 43. This creates a major legal loophole allowing any individual appointed vice president to become president in the event of a power vacuum.