Gabon’s strongman threatens alleged corrupt business tycoons
Gabon’s strongman since the overthrow of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, has threatened contractors involved in corruption, which is endemic in this country, and demanded that they show “patriotism” and “commitment” to the “development of the country”.
Recent audits have shown that “companies have overcharged and the services will revisit these investigations so that this overcharging reverts to the State”, he declared in a firm tone and with a dark look in his eyes before more than 200 Gabonese business leaders “summoned” to the Presidency of the Republic on Thursday, in a speech broadcast in its entirety on Friday on the state television channels.
At the same time, the state television channels were showing a loop of images showing one of the sons of the deposed president, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and other former young senior members of the presidential cabinet arrested on Thursday, the day of the putsch, in front of trunks, suitcases and bags filled with billions of CFA francs that had apparently been seized from their homes.
Mr Bongo Valentin and the six former senior officials from the office of the President and his all-powerful Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) who were arrested are accused by the military of “massive misappropriation of public funds”, “falsification of the signature of the President of the Republic” and “high treason”.
Mr Bongo’s opposition and civil society regularly accused contractors close to the government of practising massive “overbilling” in their contracts with the state, in return for kickbacks paid to senior government officials.
General Oligui, head of the presidential guard, who is due to be sworn in as “president of the transition” on Monday, thundered: “It is difficult to perceive, at this stage, your commitment and your patriotism when it comes to the development expected (by the country) by our compatriots”.”I am speaking the truth to you, which should enable each and every one of you to truly question yourselves”, he said, adding: “This is a situation that, for me, cannot continue, and I will not tolerate it”.
“I encourage you to change your paradigm and to ensure that, in the face of the power that I now embody, I am faced with responsible companies, not companies that are created according to the interests and situations of the moment, with the plan of over-invoicing that we all know about and enrichment as has been noted”, he added.
There is a good reason why you should support the African Editors. Not everyone can afford to pay for news right now. That is why we keep our journalism open for everyone to read, including in Ghana. If this is you, please continue to read for free. But if you are able to, then there are three good reasons to support us today.
1. Our quality, journalism is a scrutinising force at a time when the rich and powerful are getting away with more and more.
2. We are independent and have no billionaire owner pulling the strings, so your money directly powers our reporting.
3. It doesn’t cost much, and takes less time than it took to read this message.
Help power the African Editors' journalism for the years to come, whether with a small sum or a larger one. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis from just 1 Ghana Cedi through mobile money number: 0599896099/ +23359989609 and you can be rest assured that you’re making a big impact every single month in support of open, independent journalism. Thank you.
