Gabon: Statement on behalf of Forces for Change by Jean Eyeghe Ndong, former Prime minister

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Statement on behalf of Forces for Change by Jean Eyeghe Ndong, former Prime minister of Gabon

Libreville, Gabon, August 25, 2011. Ladies and gentlemen, August 17 (1960), the date of the accession of our country to international sovereignty, is an important moment in the life of the nation, it should allow us to take stock of progress and to consider prospects of improving the well being of people and the country. But what do we see? In his address to the nation on August 16, on the occasion of Independence Day, Ali Bongo Ondimba merely served to the public his propaganda that is only matched by his desire to legitimize his power usurped on August 30, 2009. Ali Bongo Ondimba did not respond to the legitimate expectations of the people of Gabon. This situation is not strictly speaking a surprise because for two years, we continue to denounce the amateurism of a power-like dictatorship.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Unfortunately, we see Ali Bongo Ondimba remains true to himself, because his speech of August 16 is far from the realities faced by Gabonese. For example, for two years, the purchasing power of Gabonese has not improved, or their access to health care. Gabonese are still victims of untimely cuts of water and electricity, at best the nation's most vulnerable people face the acute shortage of drinking water.

Images Bongo family don't want you to see. 

People of Gabon living at a landfill in Libreville 

where they feed themselves also. (Photo: JP Rougou)

The recently announced measures for students have been good if they were part of a defined social policy of free education for all students. The 10% increase in the rate of scholarships to foreign gabonese students and 25% for students enrolled locally are very similar to a measure to win few votes in the next elections.

The housing problem remains for all Gabonese a figment of the imagination. This is not the promise of establishing a guarantee fund for housing that will reassure.

The administrative reform will be meaningful only when it is depoliticized and detribalized.

In addition, the flying by sight style of governing of this regime and a frantic search of unfound legitimacy leads Ali Bongo Ondimba wanting to capture a number of projects initiated and negotiated with external partners by the government of late President Omar Bongo Ondimba. This is the case of construction on the widening of the highway 1 until a Ntoum, and other projects. The project of the National Health Insurance and Social Security, initiated and implemented by the last government of Omar Bongo Ondimba which resulted in the issuance of the first cards to social security beneficiairies in December 2008 is another example.

Financially, the many pledges do not seem to reflect the debt capacity of Gabon. The public debt had been reduced significantly in the last government of Omar Bongo Ondimba but will, within two (02) years, be reaching levels so high that they lead us on the ground floor in the category of countries at risk for foreign investors. The latest recommendations of the International Monetary Fund is an obvious example.

Moreover, the gap between the budget passed by Parliament and made off-budget spending by the government seriously affects the financial credibility of the country at the same time it undermines all social policies, to make room to lavish spending:

• 65 billion (in local currency, about 100 millions euros or more than 130 millions US dollars) for a private mansion in Paris;
• 3.5 billion (in local currency, about 6.9 millions US dollars) for a residence in Washington D.C. (Late Senator Kennedy’s mansion);
• 17 billion (in local currency, about 34 millions US dollars) in two years for luxury cars.

Regarding the African Cup of Nations of football, Ali Bongo Ondimba, admitting it for the first time, finally informs us that the multisports stadium president Bongo, provided in the specifications of the Caf will not be operational for this competition. In his time, the opposition had rightly questioned the ability of our country to meet the delivery times of this stadium. History proves us right.

President Bongo Stadium in Libreville (photo: J.P. Rougou)

In due course, will require that the Gabonese people, football fans, be fully informed about the actual cost of the competition when you know the propensity of this regime for financial mistakes.

Ladies and gentlemen,

In his time, the Honourable Zacharie Myboto denounced a media-political charade organized at the Office of the President to, could you believe, introduce personal data in the preparation of the electoral register. Indeed, soon after, it did not happen because Ali Bongo Ondimba relied on a false reading and deliberately truncated opinion of the Constitutional Court. To hear Ali Bongo on August 16, biometrics will not be considered for the next parliamentary elections.

An order made at the last Council of Ministers, which amends many provisions of the Electoral Code would find its justification as an immediate application in accordance with Article 52 of the Constitution. Indeed, the right to legislate by ordinance only be explained by the urgency of the situation. The urgency here is to hold the next parliamentary elections in a transparent manner. However, the people in power decided otherwise. This is the place to denounce the democratic backsliding of this change by order of the electoral rules. In other serious democratic setbacks, this order:

• challenges the tradition of political consensus which has always preceded any change in the electoral code;
• returns to the principle of parity in the process of decision making within the permanent electoral commission (Cenap);
• opens the possibility of relocating the headquarters of the Electoral Commission at the whim of those in power;
• confiscated democratic debate by reducing the duration of the campaign, leaving the field open to corruption and the purchase of consciences.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If assumed it had been brought to the head of the state by the will of the people of Gabon as he claims, the current holder of supreme power is it consistent with his conscience? Can he straight in Gabonese eyes when he dares to say that "I will continue to be part of responsibility, listening, dialogue and consensus constantly sought, necessary for our progress and to the preservation of civil and social peace for which we are key players "?

Can civil and social peace really be preserved as the people have no sense of freedom? As the Gabonese feel as foreigners at home and they do not recognize the leader of their country? As long as the people will not feel truly exercising their sovereignty and the freedom to choose their leaders will not be respected?

This is the case for elections that this regime claims to want to hold by the end of the year without the necessary transparency as demanded by the people of Gabon. If the men in power was listening to the people, if they have reflected the social demand which is indeed expressed by the population, all the conditions could be met for the forthcoming parliamentary elections to not give rise to disputes and not lead to a crisis. "No biometrics, hello damage! "Ali Bongo declared in the famous dialogue meeting that he himself had organized. Today, Ali Bongo has chosen the damage, he is leading the country toward them.

Are we a people condemned to permanent trial and error, even on what is accessible to us through our simple intelligence?

Ladies and gentlemen, my dear compatriots,

We are all aware of the seriousness of the situation in which those in power will lead us by insisting on organizing the upcoming parliamentary elections in disastrous conditions that we have just mentioned. We can not and must not accept it.

As responsible people, we launch a solemn appeal to all political parties of the opposition, civil society and all citizens who love peace, freedom and democracy. We invite them to take action in order to defeat the obscure maneuvers of Ali Bongo who has no other ambition than to remain in power by any means.

In the Gabonese people, we renew our call to action and vigilance.

Thank you.


(Free translation from french by Citoyen Libre Gabon)

Gabon: Civil Society reaction to the speech of Ali Bongo for Gabon’s Independence day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gabon: Civil Society reaction to the speech of Ali Bongo for Gabon’s Independence day

Libreville, Gabon, August 18, 2011. During his speech for the celebration of 51 years of “independence” of Gabon, President Ali Bongo stood against the introduction of biometrics in the forthcoming parliamentary elections scheduled to take place at the end of the second half of this year.

Organizations of civil society as a whole condemn in the strongest terms such unpopular decision that goes against standards of good democratic governance applicable in a real democracy.

This choice demonstrates anti-democratic posture of a dictatorial and corrupt regime by nature, whose survival depends on a system of electoral fraud and traffic on a large scale and depriving sovereign people of its legitimate right to freely choose their leaders.

In addition, President Ali Bongo, is not offering any guarantee of transparency and fairness of the electoral process and specifically on the ability and impartiality of an administration that is not an administration of a true Republic, but one technostructure entirely devoted to the maintenance of his regime.

As a result, civil society organizations consider that the President of Gabon and its political clan are the main obstacles to real democratization of Gabon. They are being consistently opposed to any idea and any plans for democratic reform.

Faced with this deadlock, the civil society organizations reiterate their requirements in the 13 recommendations of June 29, 2011 as follows:

1. Fundamentally reform the Constitutional Court;

2. Revision of the electoral law;

3. Reforming the National Council for Communication;

4. Reforming National Permanent Electoral Commission (CENAP) integrating members of civil society;

5. Reduce the presidential term to five (5) years renewable only once;

6. Make sure the military personnel will vote outside their military bases or barracks, as civil citizens do;

7. Back to elections in two rounds;

8. Proceed with redistricting, taking into account the demographic factor;

9. Get partners of Development (including international community) involved in the process of electoral transparency;

10. Introduce biometrics into the making of the electoral register;

11. Open the public media to all people and organizations in the Nation;

12. Amend the Constitution to incorporate all the reforms and make it adopted by referendum;

13. Set up a Tripartite Commission, including majority parties in power, opposition parties and civil society, which will be responsible for the implementation of all reforms.

In this regard, we reaffirm our determination to impose democracy in Gabon and to follow through on our campaign to free Gabon from this corrupt oligarchy which is responsible for the widespread failure of our country.

This system of 45 years which completely failed on all fronts, no longer has any legitimacy to impose its will on the majority of Gabonese who aspire to a new governance model in order to remove the 85% of our citizens out precariousness and impoverishment.

Given that the Gabonese government marks a commitment to organize the upcoming elections in an environment of non-transparency that fosters massive fraud and rigging of election results, organizations of civil society called the international community including the United States, the European Union, the U.S. Congress and the United Nations to exert the necessary pressure to force the Government of Gabon to accept electoral transparency.

Organizations of civil society firmly reject this propensity of the Gabonese government confiscation of power by anti-democratic practices based on fraud, manipulation, bribery and nepotism.

Organizations of civil society believe it is urgent to worry about the political and democratic freedoms deteriorating dangerously in Gabon.

Indeed, the Gabonese Government will once again miss out on history by denying the basic rules of democracy.

# # #

For civil society:

Brainforest, Saeger CONASYSED, Sneep, USDS, USAP, SYGEF, AFRICAN HORIZONS, ROLBG, OND, SENA, FESEENA,

If you would like more information, please contact in Gabon:

Marc Ona Essangui: Brainforest: +241-07 29 41 40: marc.ona@brain-forest.org

Georges MPAG: ROLBG: +241-07 51 99 32: gmpaga@yahoo.fr

Alain MOUAGOUADI: CONASYSED: +241-07 39 45 85

Dieudonné MINLAMA: OND: +241-07 94 87 19

Alain MOUPOPA: African Horizons: +241-07 75 15 03

Paulette Oyane Ondo, Lawyer: +241-06 26 73 12: cabinet_oyaneondo@yahoo.fr

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Translated from french by Citoyen Libre Gabon
Follow me on Twitter: @gabonishere

Gabon: Open Letter to the attention of the New York Academy of Sciences

(translated from French)

Only a few months ago, several organizations of African and Western civil societies rebelled against you and expressed their outrage at your institution which applied for sponsorship of President Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea, for his lavish prices. Today, you tend the perch to Ali Bongo of Gabon, the “yellow jersey” of African dictatorship, as if you are making the difference between AIDS and the plague...

The choice of sponsorship of your institution for some time and his love for African dictators are in line to significantly impair the credit enjoyed by far the prestigious New York Academy of Sciences.

It must be remembered that Mr. Ali Bongo is far worse than President Obiang Nguema when it comes to corruption, dictatorship and deprivation of basic citizen freedoms. Yet history teaches us that the Academy, the first school of philosophy, was frequented by disciples or those carefully chosen. Indeed, Plato, the founder, was a significant engine of the democratic development of his time and his works with the tyrant of Sicily and later with his son, also his thoughts, are perfect examples and deserve an actualization and a fundamental review of the role of our academies today.

If you are so indifferent to the cries of thousands of Gabonese who do not have at least basic social services, have at least consideration for the science that is the reason for your Academy. Are Americans so pathetically and tragically affected by the economic crisis to the point of deepening into complicity with the dirty money of African dictatorships and hence undermining the image of their prestigious institution?

In addition to the U.S. Senate which published a report on the ill-gotten gains of African dictators [1], your embassy in France to let you know, very discreet and laid bare by Wikileaks, that Mr Ali Bongo was placed in power against the will of the people [2], and recently a document of television news of ABC showed the poor living conditions of Gabonese. would Ali Bongo be solicited by the Academy for his brilliant scientific career, his enormous wealth, as a representative of an oligarchic group or as representative of the people of Gabon?

If it is his (bad) treatment of the people of Gabon that earned him so much honor on the part of your institution, we find this very cynical and thus conclude that science has no rightful place in your institution. Possibly taking note of this option, we may consider actions of discredit against you and initiate legal actions against the New York Academy of Sciences in our capacity as taxpayers of Gabon. This will be the battle of David and Goliath!

That is why we, the collective signatories of this letter, do earnestly appeal to your sense of responsibility and the will of your distinguished institution to find another African personality to be given the great honor to sponsor your price, being an individual or a legal entity (e.g. a business) truly representative of the dignity past, present and especially future of Gabonese and / or African, and their hope for greater justice and again and again, more dignity.

By Gabonese of France

WOULD YOU HAVE THE COURAGE TO TAKE MONEY FROM GABON TO FINANCE YOUR PRICE IN THE UNITED STATES?

[1] A trial on the issue much stifled is underway in the Tribunal de Paris

[2] A documentary confirming this is being broadcast right now in France on the television channel of the French Parliament - LCP.

Free translation: C.L.

Threats and intimidation on the menu of power in Gabon

Press release (translated from french)

By Coordination of the movement That’s enough!

Since the launch of the campaign That's enough! (Ça suffit comme ça!), July 16, 2011 initiated by the 13 most powerful unions, associations and NGOs to demand Gabon institutional reform and the organization of parliamentary elections in full transparency and their report after the African Cup of Nations that Gabon and Equatorial Guinea are co-organizing in January 2012, an intense campaign to discredit the main actors of this movement is led by the press and the media close to the Presidency of the Gabonese Republic.

Indeed, one of the promoters of this movement, Marc Ona Essangui is systematically denigrated by the websites and newspapers close to the President of Gabon, namely the weekly “La Griffe” (claw) which spends time a month ago all its newspapers numbers talking about this actor of civil society.

As the media campaign was not enough, and convinced of the lack of impact of their articles and documents against these militants for transparency and good governance in Gabon with the population, the authors of this odious campaign come to change strategy by opting for intimidation over the phone and uttering death threats and insults anonymously to the place of Marc Ona Essangui. As proof, August 5, 2011 at 11:15 am an anonymous phone call from the number (241) 726707 covers him with insults and pretends he is a spokesman for the National Union, an opposition party dissolved recently. A few minutes later came another anonymous phone call which became abusive and threatening.

This Thursday, August 11, 2011 between 1:18 p.m. and 2:36 p.m. Libreville time, here is a list of phone numbers used to continue perpetrating operation of all types including threats and insults: (241) 726707, (+241) 726717 (241 ) 726739, (241) 726725, (+241) 726703, (241) 726708 and (241) 735707.

One of the authors of these anonymous phone calls has been unveiled in a note from the newspaper's La Griffe Friday, August 5, 2011, number 452 in these terms: "... In the same day Friday, our editorial sought to apply his conscience to light the lantern of Gabon on his political position in direct, the question was no less direct: Mr. Marc Ona, is that you are an activist of the National Union? ... "Response of the individual:" Nothing shall prevent any citizen to belong to a political party ... "Indeed, the number used this Friday, August 5, 2011 is part of the series of today: 726707 . Does this mean that the paper held by relatives of President Ali Bongo with one of his advisor Raphael Ntoutoume Nkoghe (Justin Lagryphe), uses phone numbers of his administration to prepare and execute the dirty work?

The identification process of these phone numbers, which presumably would come from an administration, a department, institution, the presidency of the republic of Gabon, or a home, is being done by independent services.

Recall that the debate raised by civil society based on democratic and republican principles and the Constitution of the Republic grants citizens the right to participate in public life of his country.

We reaffirm our determination to go all the way to true democracy in our country plundered by an oligarchy in power for 45 years and who is guilty of hijacking the country's resources to the detriment of the great mass of people languishing into poverty, forced to look for food in landfills.

The national and international communities are our witnesses and they should therefore see how Gabon is ruled base on police powers principles, where the ruling party is against all types of opposition and where fundamental freedoms or liberties are violated.

We reserve the right to appeal to all national and international courts to end this practice of another age.

Libreville (Gabon), August 11, 2011

For the Coordination of the movement That's enough!

Marc Ona Essangui

Press Contacts:

Master Paulette Oyane Ondo, Lawyer, Phone: (241) 07 07 16 48 / (241) 06 26 73 12

Georges MPAG, ROLBG: (241) 07 51 99 32

Marc Ona Essangui: (241) 07 29 41 40

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Traduction libre: Citoyen Libre Gabon

Menaces et intimidation au menu des tactiques des gens du pouvoir au Gabon

Communiqué de presse

Coordination du mouvement Ça suffit comme ça!

Depuis le lancement de la campagne CA SUFFIT COMME CA, le 16 juillet 2011 initiée par les 13 plus puissants syndicats, associations et ONG gabonais pour réclamer la réforme des institutions et l’organisation des prochaines élections législatives dans la transparente la plus totale ainsi que leur report après la coupe d’Afrique des Nations que le Gabon et la Guinée Équatoriale co-organisent en janvier 2012, une campagne intense visant à discréditer les principaux acteurs de ce mouvement est menée par les organes de presse et les médias proches de la Présidence de la République gabonaise

En effet, l’un des porteurs de ce mouvement, Marc ONA ESSANGUI est systématiquement dénigré par les sites Internet et les journaux proches de la Présidence pour ne citer que l’hebdomadaire la Griffe qui consacre depuis un mois tous ses numéros à cet acteur de la société civile.

Comme cette campagne médiatique ne suffisait pas, et convaincus du manque d’impact de leurs articles et documents contre ces militants pour la transparence et la bonne gouvernance au Gabon auprès de la population, les auteurs de cette campagne odieuse viennent de changer de stratégie en optant pour des intimidations au téléphone et proférer des menaces de mort et des injures de façon anonyme à l’endroit de Marc ONA ESSANGUI. Pour preuve, le 5 août 2011 à 11h15 un appel téléphonique anonyme venant du numéro (+241)726707 le couvre d’injure et le taxe de porte parole de l’Union Nationale, parti d’opposition dissout dernièrement. Quelques minutes plus tard, c’est un autre coup de fil anonyme qui devint plus injurieux et menaçant.

Ce jeudi 11 août 2011 entre 13h18 et 14h36 heures de Libreville, voici la liste des numéros de téléphones utilisés pour poursuivre cette opération de menaces de toute nature et d’insultes : (+241)726707, (+241)726717, (+241)726739, (+241)726725, (+241)726703, (+241)726708 et (+241)735707.

L’un des auteurs de ces coups de fil anonymes se serait dévoilé dans un billet du journal la Griffe du vendredi 5 août 2011, numéro 452 en ces termes : « …Dans la journée du même vendredi, notre rédaction a cherché à solliciter sa conscience pour éclairer la lanterne des gabonais sur son positionnement politique En directe, la question a été non moins directe : Monsieur Marc Ona, est ce que vous êtes un militant de l’Union Nationale ? …» Réponse de l’intéressé : « Rien n’interdit à n’importe quel citoyen d’appartenir à un parti politique… » Effectivement, le numéro utilisé ce vendredi 5 août 2011 fait partie de la série d’aujourd’hui : 726707. Est-ce à dire que ce journal tenu par des proches du Président Ali Bongo dont l’un de ses conseiller Raphael Ntoutoume Nkoghe (Justin Lagryphe), utilise les numéros de téléphone de son administration pour préparer et exécuter de basses besognes ?

L’opération d’identification de ces numéros de téléphone, qui vraisemblablement, proviendraient d’une administration : un ministère, une institution, la présidence de la république, un domicile, est en cours par les services indépendants.

Rappelons que le débat soulevé par la société civile repose sur des principes démocratiques et républicains et la constitution de la République confère à tout citoyen le droit de participer à la vie publique de son pays.

Nous réaffirmons notre détermination à aller jusqu’au bout pour une démocratie véritable dans notre pays pillé par un oligarchie au pouvoir depuis 45 ans et qui se rend coupable du détournement des ressources du pays au détriment de la grande masse de la population qui croupit dans la misère, obligée de se nourrir dans des décharges publiques.

Nous prenons à témoin la communauté nationale et internationale pour constater le caractère policier du pouvoir en place qui refuse tout type de contre pouvoir et où des libertés fondamentales sont bafouées.

Nous nous réservons le droit de saisir toutes les juridictions nationale et internationale pour mettre fin à ces pratiques d’un autre âge.

Fait à Libreville, le 11 août 2011

Pour la Coordination du mouvement CA SUFFIT COMME CA

Marc ONA ESSANGUI

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Contacts Presse :

Maitre Paulette Oyane Ondo, Avocat : Tel : (241) 07 07 16 48 / (241) 06 26 73 12

Georges MPAGA, ROLBG : (241) 07 51 99 32

Marc ONA ESSANGUI : (241) 07 29 41 40

Gabon: Statement of Union Nationale, July 30, 2011

PRESS RELEASE

Gabon: Statement of Union Nationale, July 30, 2011

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On January 25, 2011, to claim his victory, Mr. André Mba Obame self proclaimed himself as President-elect of the Republic of Gabon. That victory was indeed affirmed by eminent French personalities, a French public media, in a documentary publicly funded by French government which Gabonese watched.

The same information should be recalled, had already been given by the U.S. diplomatic telegrams and came to light by the Wikileaks website.

To meet this strong political act, the regime in power, through the Minister of the Interior, instead of filing complaints against public bodies involved in this French documentary, had rather pronounced, by a decree, the dissolution of Union Nationale.

Considering this illegal act, we have seized the Conseil d’État (State Council) June 3, 2011, that it shall declare void the decree of the Minister of Interior which is clearly flawed.

With this normal approach, we expect that the high administrative court to say the law, only the law. Without being naive, given the lack of independence of the judiciary system in our country, we had exhausted most of the legal channels, to show our commitment to the law and demonstrate, where applicable, the limits of it in Gabon.

In dismissing Union Nationale in its decision of July 28, 2011, the State Council has unfortunately not say the law.

The Council of State, following the Government, curiously claims that by accepting the organization of the ceremony of swearing in of Mr. Andre Mba Obame in its premises and by attending Union Nationale is "co-author or least accomplice "of the act committed by the former independent candidate for president early on 30 August 2009.

The Council of State ignores that Mr. Andre Mba Obame was sworn in as a former independent candidate in the last presidential election, election to which Union Nationale did not participate because there was no such party created yet. He also pretended not to know that Union Nationale took part in the ceremony along with other opposition parties who were invited.

In addition, it provides no tangible evidence of the involvement of the Union Nationale as a party in this ceremony, although it has taken place in its premises.

In saying that Union Nationale is co-author of the act, the State Council said then that Union Nationale, a legal person of its own, also sworn in along with Mr. Andre Mba Obame.

We are not fooled because we know what really happened in the Council of State to get there and we have denounced in our statement twenty-four hours before rendering its decision. Should be left triumph interests in power and thus the interests of some judges.

Their personal interests are more important than the future of Gabon and its children.

No biometrics, not Union Nationale, we see what is emerging. The regime in power wants to set aside its main potential enemy in order to get an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly that make people forget about the indelible defeat of August 30, 2009 and the deficit of legitimacy that results from it. Refusal of biometrics, then denied a crucial element of electoral transparency in the legislative elections coming under false pretenses, dissolution of a political party, violatation of the principle of multiparty democracy, the regime in power arrogantly does all it wants, in full knowledge of the international community, fully informed, including the UN, U.S.A, European Union, including France. No reaction from them so far.

Does International community expect that things go wrong to come to play firefighter or the doctor after death? Prevention Is not the royal road to guarantee peace and stability? Is not it in this spirit that the UN Regional Centre for Conflict Prevention was moved to Libreville?

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We want to remind you that Union Nationale, whose dissolution has been confirmed, has six members in National Assembly, three senators and one hundred and fifty-four elected officials, making the party the second political force in the country and the first party of the Opposition.

The dissolution of a political party can not be an ordinary act in a country governed on the rule of law.

The decision of the State Council is still a coup against democracy in our country after those of the Constitutional Court has perpetrated against the popular will as a result of other previous presidential and parliamentary elections.

In Gabon, the existence of a party or political group derives its primary source of Article 6 of the Constitution which provides that "the political parties and groups contribute to the exercise of suffrage. They are formed and are operating freely within the framework set by law, according to the principles of multiparty and must respect the Constitution and laws of the Republic. "

In other words, political parties have a primary mission to enable citizens to participate in the political life of the nation within the frameworks they are organized in. They are the glue and the ferment of democracy. The exercise of suffrage to which they contribute is simply an expression of popular sovereignty which it organizes and facilitates the expression. All this forms the basis of democracy and the Republic system, the power of the people for the people and by the people.

Dissolving a political party is an extremely serious act of negation of the foundation of democracy. This kind of act is the hallmark of dictatorships. You will agree with us that the dissolution of political parties are extremely rare in countries so called democratic. We even have in Central Africa one Head of a political party currently being sued by the International Criminal Court for alleged serious crimes and acts of war inside and outside the country, so far this without that issue leading to the dissolution of his party. Similar cases in other countries where political parties were involved in serious events, including wars without being dissolved are known both in Central, Western and Southern Africa.

Dissolving a political party means that it can no longer take part in political debate, participate in elections or be part of the management bodies and control of elections. But this restriction may not involve the logo, which is an intellectual work which the trademark which is registered and protected. As such, it can not be excluded from any citizen holding a garment bearing the logo of Union Nationale to use it as such.

We condemn with the strongest propensity the Minister of the Interior recurrently flouting of the law by always giving it connotations still draconian. This is probably the mark of the regime to which he belongs and the power he is blindly serving and that led him to kill Union Nationale.

With the overruling on July 28, 2011 of the class action to declare the existence of the decree dissolving Union Nationale illegal, the regime in power in all its components, achieved its goal, that is killing our party.

Yes, obsessive relentlessness of this regime against Union Nationale was at its highest. Yes, the same visceral hostility of the regime in power toward Union Nationale was at its highest. Result does not surprise us then.

But if the Minister of the Interior and the State Council have killed Union Nationale in texts, they can never destroy our beliefs, our determination and faith in this ideal of Gabon for all. Change, the objective of our struggle, will lead us irresistibly.

We want to tell Gabonese people that Union Nationale is not dead. Union Nationale lives and will live forever in our hearts. No law, no prison, no gun can kill that spirit.

This leads me to recall the context and environment in which was born February 10, 2010, the Union Nationale. After the electoral coup of 3 September 2009 at the expense of the candidate Andre Mba Obame, elected August 30, 2009, candidates for the early presidential election after a coalition of political groups and parties to the mix, took the decision to have a major political party of the Opposition to manage Gabon differently, to achieve alternance in power and to end the mismanagement of the power source of poverty, misery and insecurity. The African Movement for Development (MAD), the National Rally of Republicans (RNR) and the Gabonese Union for Democracy and Development (UGDD), convinced of the merits of this goal, agreed, after the heads of groups and their partners ofthese parties agreed to join, to create, through their merger, " Union Nationale ". Thus was it born. What these three parties have raised is a patriotic act in their historic struggle for change in Gabon.

This act can not suffer any diversion from our critics. Yes, it is common to hear people blaming the Executive Secretary of Union Nationale, André MBA Obame for being responsible of the current situation and try to isolate him. It's a waste of time, it is partisan politics that we reject with contempt. They can not divide us.

Similarly, others return to the case of UGDD that I supposedly sold and I do not know to whom, and who seem to feel sorry for myself or take the opportunity to speak evil of me as usual. Faced with these petty maneuver, to them and others, I say I am proud that I lead the fight, with courage and forethought, not for my modest person, but for Gabon. I defend republican values, it is a noble enterprise, and I assume and I will assume forever.

Finally, we say to our gabonese people that the struggle continues and will be built fast enough on the form and means that we will give it. It is clear that we will not remain indifferent to an illegitimate power to gag a very large section of the Gabonese population by depriving it of one of his most basic rights, that to come together in a structure enabling it to express its ideals. We inform you that already we are seizing the Council of Human Rights of United Nations on the case.

Thank you.

Zacharie Myboto.

Gabon: Union Nationale lives and will live forever

  " Union Nationale lives and will live forever in us. No law or gun can kill that ideal."

That in a few words the determination shown by Mr. Zacharie Myboto, President of the Union Nationale, an opposition political party whose dissolution was confirmed a few days ago by Ali Bongo and his henchmen of the State Council. Such dissolution is qualified as totally antidemocratic by UN leaders and supporters.

Mr. Zacharie Myboto speaking during a rally this Saturday, July 30, 2011 at the headquarters of the Union Nationale (UN) located in "Old SOBRAGA" Librebille, Gabon.

Leaders and supporters of Union Nationale are finally facing their fate after the dissolution confirmed by the State Council. Since it is definitely considered a party dissolved, so illegal, by Ali Bongo, those who advocate or sympathize with the UN must now take fate in their hands.

The rally today confirms that the advocates of change and alternation are not about to give up. The fight will continue and we may, with the arrogance repeatedly demonstrated by PDG and Ali Ben Bongo in power, get into a very significant political and social tension in Gabon. One such tension could have unintended negative and serious consequences. As said by Mr Myboto in his speech: "The international community is strangely silent on the excesses of those in power (Ali Bongo and his minions). Will they come as firefighters when the situation deteriorates?"

Now that the Gabonese eager for freedom and change, against 44 years of oppression of Bongo, know they must pull this freedom, we must expect anything in Gabon. Now, everyone must take responsibilities, starting with France and other obscure interests that support a corrupt regime that the Gabonese have been wanting to get rid for far too long already!

That's enough!

C.L.

Some pictures taken during the event today

Gabon: L'Union Nationale vit et vivra toujours

"L'Union Nationale vit et vivra toujours en nous. Aucune loi, aucun fusil ne pourra tuer cet idéal".

Voilà en quelques termes la détermination démontrée par Mr Zacharie Myboto, président de l'Union Nationale, parti politique de l'opposition dont la dissolution a été confirmée il y a quelques jours par le Ali Bongo et ses acolytes du Conseil d'État. Une telle dissolution est considérée comme totalement antidémocratique par les dirigeants et sympathisants de l'UN.

Monsieur Zacharie Myboto s'exprimait durant un rassemblement organisé ce samedi 30 juillet 2011 au siège de l'Union Nationale (UN) situé au quartier "Ancien Sobraga" à Librebille au Gabon.

Les responsables et partisans de l'Union Nationale sont définitivement face à leur destin après la dissolution confirmée par le Conseil d'État. Étant définitivement considéré comme un parti dissous, donc clandestin, tous ceux qui militent ou sympathisent avec l'UN doivent maintenant prendre le destin entre leur main.

Le rassemblement d'aujourd'hui confirme que les partisans du changement et de l'alternance ne sont pas près de baisser les bras. La lutte va continuer et nous risquons, avec l'arrogance maintes fois démontrée du PDG et de Ali Ben Bongo au pouvoir, d'assister à une montrée très significative de la tension politique et sociale au Gabon. Un telle tension pourrait avoir des conséquences négatives imprévues et graves. Comme le disait Mr Myboto lors de son allocution: "la communauté internationale est bizarrement silencieuse face aux dérives du pouvoir en place (Ali Bongo et ses sbires). Viendra-t-elle jouer les pompiers lorsque la situation va dégrader?"

"Il est clair que nous ne resterons pas indifférents face à un pouvoir illégitime qui bâillonne une très large frange de la population gabonaise en la privant d’un de ses droits les plus élémentaires, celui de se regrouper au sein d’une structure lui permettant d’exprimer ses idéaux. Nous vous informons d’ores et déjà que nous saisissons le Conseil des Droits de l’Homme des Nations Unies sur cette affaire", a déclaré Mr Myboto.

Maintenant que les Gabonais avides de liberté et de changement, contre 44 ans d'oppression des Bongo, savent qu'ils doivent arracher cette liberté, il faut s'attendre à tout au Gabon. Que chacun prenne donc ses responsabilités, à commencer par la France et autres intérêts occultes qui soutiennent un régime corrompu dont les Gabonais veulent se débarrasser depuis déjà trop longtemps!

Ça suffit comme ça!


C.L.

Quelques photos du rassemblement de ce samedi 30 juillet 2011

Open Letter of Civil Society of Gabon to Prime minister of France

OPEN LETTER OF CIVIL SOCIETY OF GABON

To His Excellency François Fillon

PRIME MINISTER OF FRANCE

Mr Prime Minister,

With the prospect of a presidential election in France, it is customary that the highest representatives of the French state program a tour of Africa.

We can not comment on the real purpose of the one you are in Gabon for, as the relationships that "unite", or more precisely, that bind Gabon to France are decided in your palaces and those of your personal friends, except with the people of Gabon.

Mr Prime Minister,

Recognizing the true nature of relations between France and Gabon, the engaged civil society, in this open letter, would like to express its profound sense, with the hope that, contrary to custom, you'll finally have the political intelligence to include them in your definition of the interests of France.

Hence, Prime Minister, Gabonese civil society is aware that the French political class, blinded by the defense of its interests, despises the conscience and intelligence of the peoples of the world.

Indeed, Prime Minister more than 50 years after (so call) independence, Gabon is at a crossroads, the country is plunged into an indescribable desolation which key words include:

• The general state of disrepair of infrastructure (roads, schools, hospitals, housing);
• The degeneration of 75% of the population;
• The economic crimes including corruption, as a system of governance: This corruption affects all aspects of the regime: the Bongo family in particular has captured all material and financial resources of Gabon, which is thus the victim of a pillage and plunder of a large scale and shamelessly ....

In the same vein, members of government and heads of institutions affiliated with the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) regularly divert budgets allocated to them.

-How to understand that since 2008, with annual budgets estimated at four billion euros on average, Gabon is not able to have a functioning health system?

- How to understand with all means, that Gabonese women continue to die when giving birth per hundred in Libreville and in the provinces?

- How to understand that with so much money the government is not able to build schools that meet international standards, but Gabonese children are crammed into classrooms (80 to 100 students per classroom)?

- How to understand that with so much money the Gabonese have no access to basic needs for water and electricity in Libreville and in the whole country?

- How to understand that this Government has not able to offer its people, decent housing to address the serious housing shortage that affects more than 70% of the population?

- How to understand that Gabon through its defense forces and security continues to use torture on detainees in detention centers of police, gendarme and intelligence services?

- How to understand the central prison in Libreville built for 250 people is now full with more than 2000 prisoners tortured and permanently deprived of all rights?

- How to understand the violation and the rejection of all forms of democratic expression by the Government of Gabon that forbid and punish marches or public demonstrations and meetings of civil society and opposition?

- How then to understand the abusive and illegal use of security and defense forces to violently beat up and kill civilians in Gabon? The example of Port-Gentil (in 2009) is a reminder of the criminal nature of this regime which bulk of power is based on the use of brute force with the help of mercenaries and other illegal forces.

- How can France accept that stolen billion in Gabon by Bongo family members and their allies can be accommodated in French banks, and that the judicial proceeding against the ill-gotten gains are hampered by the French government?

- How is France that promotes democratic values and ethics in the management of public property, to accept the purchase in 2010 in Paris of a building for 100 million euros, while in Gabon people in power can not provide primary health care to population they are supposed to represent?

Mr. Prime Minister, the great France, the country of Human Rights and the Citizen of 1789 should no longer support this criminal regime, this ignominious dictatorship!

France must absolutely choose sides, the camp of democracy and transparency!

France did not hesitate to compromise themselves as with Tunisia, and for that the choice of France must be clear!

To free Gabon of the current state of degradation, civil society supported by national democratic forces requires these:

1. Fundamentally reform the Constitutional Court;

2. Revision of the electoral law;

3. Reforming the National Council for Communication;

4. Reforming CENAP (Permanent electoral commission)  integrating members of civil society;

5. Reduce the presidential term to five (5) years renewable only once;

6. Ensure that the military personnel will be voting outside their barracks as all citizens;

7. Back to elections in two rounds;

8. Proceed with redistricting, taking into account the demographic factor;

9. Get the partners of development (including the international community) involved in the process of electoral transparency;

10. Introduce biometrics into the making of the electoral register;

11. Open the public media to all stakeholders (all people) in the Nation;

12. Amend the Constitution in a referendum to incorporate all the reforms;

13. Set up a Tripartite Commission (majority in power, opposition and civil society) responsible for the implementation of all reforms.

On transparency which is the main problem of the electoral process in Gabon, Mr. Ali Bongo and his government, against all odds and against the will of the people of Gabon have agreed to hold parliamentary elections in 2011 with the current legal provisions that not guarantee the vote in conditions of transparency and credibility. Thus, a widespread fraud is preparing to ensure the falsification and the victory of the PDG in the next election.

Mr Ali Bongo and his government have therefore decided to force a passage, by refusing to introduce biometrics into the electoral process despite the fact that the electoral law on biometrics has been passed and that all stakeholders want electoral transparency.

So, Mr. Prime Minister, it despise us to think that we are not aware that foreign policy, and particularly France's foreign policy in Africa, is based only on circumstantial rhetoric. This talent for rhetoric to defend all the major principles and their opposites: what applies to Libya does not apply to Syria, nor for Yemen. The future of Africa? That expressed by Nicolas Sarkozy in Dakar, is the opposite of what he maintains in Libreville. An electoral coup in Gabon and you pull down the red carpet at Ali Bongo. An electoral coup in Ivory Coast and you launch your missiles at Laurent Gbagbo. Universal principles applicable in France are not applicable in Gabon.

We are outraged to see that you are truly convinced that more than fifty years of (so call) "independence," Gabon is not able to make the file an electoral body equivalent to a district of France. Also outraged to find that before the blinkers you wear with all the scandals in Gabon, fraud has become a model of government that is shockingly clear in the educational system, as the Ministry of Education has distributed numerous baccalaureate and BEPC (high school) exams to their siblings owners of private high schools. We are frustrated to see how often the duplicity by which the country of Human Rights (France) represents and applies according to its affinities, its allegiances.

From the country of Human rights, we have heard no official voice rising to protest the adoption, by law, of a constitution establishing a military-police state in Gabon. It is clear that the aspirations of the Gabonese people will never be part of your concerns. And lead us not speak of non-interference in our internal affairs, you will then force us to state the event to deny that.

Nicolas Sarkozy, after pledging during his campaign to end the paternalistic relations between France and Gabon, has changed sides advocating the "uninhibited relations." We understand that the master of Françafrique has now assumed, without complex, the perpetuation of the inextricable link that unites politicians and businessmen in the corruption, predation of our country.

Mr Prime Minister,

Gabon is your counter. But the Gabonese aspire, against your will, to take charge of their destiny. Gabonese civil society wants to solemnly warn you by telling you our firm determination to reclaim our rights, our freedoms, our sovereignty, our country by all means necessary.

That said, Gabonese civil society like sisters Niger, Senegal, Guinea Conakry ... said, "That's enough! " and decides to take responsibility for our country, the rule of law, one democratic state in which to live.

The Gabonese want to finally be recognized through their leaders by taking into account their votes because so far, the elections were still studded with fraud and multiform incidents.

Excellency, Mr. Prime Minister, prevention is better than cure. So your intervention with gabonese authorities may avoid the fate experienced in Ivory Coast for example.

Ultimately, gabonese authorities must understand that failure to take into account the requirements of civil society on the electoral process and democratic environment in Gabon on one hand, and the resolution of social problems on the other hand, there will be no elections in Gabon.

If necessary, civil society reserves the right to take major actions, aimed at bringing the gabonese government to adopt mechanisms for transparent elections, whatever the price that needs to be paid!

Knowing we can count on your contribution to the establishment of true democracy in Gabon, please accept Prime Minister, the assurance of our highest consideration.

Libreville, Thursday, July 15, 2011

For civil society:

Brainforest, SAEG, CONASYSED, SNEEPS, USDS, USAP, SYGEF, AFRICAN HORIZONS, ROLBG, PUBLISH WHAT YOU PAY, OND, SENA, FESEENA,

Press Contacts:

Marc Ona Essangui: Brainforest / Publish What You Pay: (241) 07 29 41 40

Georges MPAG: ROLBG: (241) 07 51 99 32

Alain MOUAGOUADI: CONASYCED: (241) 07 39 45 85

Dieudonné MINLAMA: OND: (241) 07 94 87 19

Alain MOUPOPA: African Horizons: (241) 07 75 15 03

(Translated from french by Citoyen Libre)