Gabon: ON HUNGER STRIKE FOR MORE THEN 30 DAYS, ROLAND ABA’A IS IN SERIOUS LIFE FRIGHTENING HEALTH CONDITION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ON HUNGER STRIKE FOR MORE THEN 30 DAYS, ROLAND ABA’A IS IN SERIOUS LIFE FRIGHTENING HEALTH CONDITION

Libreville, Gabon, August 12, 2011. Councillor of Office of the President of Gabon, Roland ABA'A is in serious life frightening health condition . He lost the use of his limbs and speech.  Mr Aba’a has been on hunger strike for more then 30 days.

Moved to Owendo from his home for reasons of health concern by his younger brother, Mr. ABA'A asked him that administration of tonic medication to him be stopped. He prefers to die alongside his family at the family home, located in Montagne Sainte, a neighbourhood of the Capital city of Libreville. Given the indifference exhibited by the French authorities, against whom his denunciation is made, we once again take the national and international community as our witnesses about the fatal outcome to which this situation may lead us.

Initially an individual movement, but not isolated, made for the general interest of its citizens, Councillor Roland Desire ABA'A opted for a non-violent approach in the strict respect for public order and constitutional provisions of the country, he raises questions based on respect and dignity between the French and Gabonese and stowage requirements of good governance.

This is call on the French, with the backdrop idea that substantial new contract of cooperation between France and Gabon offered to our two communities by President Sarkozy, does not seem to corroborate the reality.

These limitations result in the protection of French economic interests at the expense of social development and life of people of Gabon.

"I will be happy to take to be taken to my grave with the pride that I have demonstrated to the national and international opinion that France, so-called land of human rights, is nothing more than a country of selfish interests. Gabon’s wealth is confiscated by France, and leaders or managers of this former colony does not weigh much heavier than a feather in front of their master. Let die a fellow citizen in full knowledge of all is a clear proof of guilty resignation ", says Mr Aba’a.

He also calls on all agencies and organizations defending human rights to take up this issue so that justice is done in the name of individual liberty and freedom of peoples to self-determination for their lives and properties or resources.

"Let’s the case of Gabon be a learning experience for all former colonies of France, as we all know that France's interests take precedence over the lives of people other than French."

"My pride of belonging to my homeland goes beyond any other human feeling.", says Mr Aba’a.

Free Gabon!

# # #

If you would like more information, please contact in Gabon, the Monitoring Committee of the hunger strike of the Councillor of the President, Mr. Roland Desire ABA'A at:

Phone: (241) 07 38 70 90 / 06 26 52 15 / 07 25 30 00 / 07 35 38 78
Email

(Free translation from French by Citoyen Libre Gabon)

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: civil society’s Open Letter to the Bishops of Churches in Central Africa

Gabonese civil society’s Open Letter to the Bishops of member countries of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Central Africa Region (ACERAC)

Dear Fathers in the Episcopate of the Church in Central Africa

During his mission trip to Angola, March 20, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI has spoken openly in favor of the various initiatives whose purpose is to promote sound practices in public affairs, good governance and the fight against corruption. Among them, NEPAD, the Kimberley Process, the coalition Publish What You Pay Initiative and the Extractive Industries Transparency.

Indeed, Central Africa is potentially the richest part of the continent in mineral resources, but ironically the poorest and least developed.

According to experts, two phenomena explain this catastrophic situation:

1 - The longevity in power and the lack of democracy.

2 - Widespread corruption of ruling oligarchies

a) longevity in power.

This is the heart of the problem.

Indeed, the democratic deficit is the norm in all countries of our sub-region. The heads of state are on average 30 years in power, usually by force, repression and electoral fraud. The different movements of the democratic opposition do not have an environment to emerge as an alternative policy. All institutions in charge of the democratic process are in the hands of relatives or friends of the founding president and leader of the state ruling party. In short, democratic freedoms are violated: between imprisoned, murdered journalists, members of civil society killed or imprisoned, marches and other public events of the opposition and civil society are systematically prohibited.

b) the widespread corruption of the ruling oligarchies

This is reflected by the overwhelming poverty of the population and a chronic shortage of critical infrastructure. The state resources are diverted to a clique of corrupt leaders who cling against all odds to be in violation of the sovereignty and the right to citizenship of the people as expressed and embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Peoples of 1948. The case of ill-gotten gains, which highlighted the massive diversion of public funds at the expense of development in the sub-region is indicative of poor governance afflicting the majority of our states.

Given this general fact, and taking into account the global context marked by profound changes characterized by the willingness of people to aspire to the well-being and freedom, Gabonese civil society has the same legitimate aspirations of democracy and good governance for social justice, and is seizing the opportunity of the celebration at the moment, in Libreville, of the Ninth Plenary Assembly of the ACERAC to bring to the attention of your excellencies, which follows:

Since the advent of democracy, Gabon country remains haunted by the evils of all kinds:

In social terms, the cost of living has increased considerably, while the living conditions have not changed at all (over 80% of the population languishing below the poverty line). This fact, since 1990 is reflected by turmoil in the social sector, characterized by incessant strikes, synonymous with a growing unease without people in power with PDG (ruling party), in place for 43 years, to review their policy in social planning.

On the political side, democracy as desired by the people during the Sovereign National Conference, is fictitious. Since 1990, Gabon has no reliable electoral register and could not, despite the enormous resources allocated for this purpose to date, hold elections without them ending up in violent protests with the often dramatic consequences for many families in Gabon. This was the case with the last Presidential elections that plunged the country into a severe political crisis.

On the economic front, despite the immense wealth that the country abounds, the benefits reach only a caste of people clung to power for 43 years, while the majority of people are dying in misery indescribable.

Notwithstanding the apocalyptic vision, the Church of Gabon in contrast to her sisters in Africa in general, especially those of Central Africa remains in a guilty silence which makes it de facto a tacit accomplice erected in the arbitrary mode of governance in Gabon. This attitude contrasts with the tasks entrusted to the Church, as recommended by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who asked his apostles to be "the light of the world and salt of the earth" (Matthew 5: 13 -16).

Indeed, how to understand that "the duty of Truth", the Church of Gabon prefers to keep quiet? Faced with "the duty of justice," is the Church of Gabon choosing resignation?

When all analysis are done, it seems appropriate to ask your Excellencies more attention and a strong involvement of the Church in building a true democracy and the establishment of good governance in Gabon, as required by the civil society which the Church is full with our members.

Armed with all of these arguments, the Gabonese civil society, hereby wishes to inform you of its determination to establish a true democracy in Gabon. The declaration of 29 June 2011 on the electoral process and democratic governance in Gabon summary in 13 points is a perfect illustration of this desire:

1. Fundamentally reform the Constitutional Court;

2. Revision of the electoral law;

3. Reforming the National Council for Communication;

4. Reform the Autonomous National Electoral Commission and Permanent (CENAP) by integrating the members of civil society;

5. Reduce the presidential term to five years, renewable once;

6. To make sure the military votes out side their barracks as all citizens and civil

7. Back to elections in two rounds;

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

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

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

11. Open the public media to all actors or people in the nation;

12. Amend the Constitution by referendum to incorporate all the reforms;

13. Set up a tripartite commission majority / opposition / civil society responsible for the implementation of all reforms.

We think rightly, that these 13 proposals made by civil society are the prerequisites for achieving "a peaceful change of government without bloodshed." To this end, Gabonese civil society comes writes this open letter, asking the Church of Gabon, as a consciousness-raiser and a spur of the society to resume its historical place in order to lead the fight for social justice and good governance, ensuring the harmonious development of the country and well being of the people of Gabon.

Following His Holiness Pope John Paul II, the Great apostle of modern times, tireless advocate of the oppressed, "fear not", "go in hope," "Church of Gabon get up and walk! ".

With that, may the Lord our God bless you and allow you a safe return to your respective missions in Peace and Love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Deep consideration.

Libreville July 9, 2011

Gabon: Union Nationale (National Union) goes hunting up North!

(translate from french, as published, July 8th 2011 by Jean-Pierre Rougou)

For their first political gathering in Woleu Ntem (one of the nine provinces of Gabon, in the North of the country) members of the Government of Andre Mba Obame, including ministers and executives of Union Nationale (National Union) chose Oyem, the provincial capital, to begin a marathon tour of information, explanation and clarification.

For ten days, Fabien Mbeng Ekorezok, Michel Ongoundou Lunda, Alfred Memini Me Zue, Thierry Nnang, Louma Alphonse François Ondo Edou, Véronique Essomeyo, Samy Ondo, Ondo Estelle and many others have at heart to travel around villages, districts and departments in the northern province to restore the truth about the political situation of Union Nationale, the stay of the Government in the UNDP office earlier this year and the health of Andre Mba Obame.

Judging by the reception of the delegation to the steps of Assok Bega, Nkolabona and Nkout, we can say, without risk of error, the tour will be a great success. Of those declared dead or seriously ill by the “singers” of the former one ruling party, PDG (founded by Omar Bongo), which come in the flesh in front of bewildered people, it can only arouse joy of family and friends who can meet again with their own. The truth is out and it is scathing, this explains the high turnout recorded in the first day. The welcome is reminiscent of the great masses-election campaign in August 2009 to the sound of "AMO president."

The questions that torment the spirits here are always the same: "What about the party Union Nationale officially dissolved but whose popularity rating has increased sharply since January 2011 when Andre Mba Obame made a swearing as president-elected? what future for "democracy" in Gabon? why some politicians slow down alternance and how to overcome this obstacle? Simple and clear answer from Essono Mengue Vincent, a former mayor of Oyem and current provincial official representative of Union Nationale: "It is up to us, people of Gabon to accomplish these aims. The day we get up all, as one man to drive out those who imposed themselves by force at the top of the state, it will be the end of the "Bongo dynasty." Whenever changes have taken place, the population was fervent. The most recent examples? Tunisia, Egypt and Senegal. " Message received 5 out of 5. The assistance will remember this little joke of a sexagenarian from Nkolabona: "if there is a party dissolved in Gabon, it is the PDG (Parti Démocratique Gabonais). It died with its founder. Everything today is just tinkering. You know, no human being, no science can revive a corpse. With a dead body, there are only three possibilities: use it as a corpse in medical school, to extract the organs to treat the living or buried altogether. The nitrogen derived from the decomposition of the body allows the growth of other plants. Therefore the PDG should allow Union Nationale to grow, it is the truly national party. "

When Michel Ongoundou Lunda, an Obamba of Okondja (province of Haut-Ogooué, origin of Bongo’s family) talks without complex in a Fang environment in Nkout, the symbol is sufficiently instructive to demolish the claims of PDG on power on a so-called isolationism of Fangs.... Video excerpts... (in french) 

Did the government of Gabon lie about the dead from the prison of Bitam?

(Warning: the photos included in this text may offend. We apologize. But the truth must be told!)

Following the discovery of foreigners found dead in a prison in Bitam, north of Gabon, the Gabonese government was quick to issue a press release June 16, 2011 to among other things, expose the (so called) disinformation in the media about the causes of death of these expatriates, while justifying their deaths with diagnostics such as diarrhea and respiratory disorders or behavior, probably related to the outbreak of a cholera epidemic. The government even pushed the irony to advise the population to implement hygienic measures against epidemics such as cholera (which could also hit them, one can imagine reading the press release).

The Gabonese government statement also stated that:

" Contrairement à certaines informations véhiculés sans fondement, faisant état de prétendue maltraitance, de sévices ou de tortures, il s'agirait plutôt d'un cas de santé public, que nous déplorons": "Unlike some of the unfounded information conveyed with reports of alleged mistreatment, abuse or torture, it's more a case of public health, which we deplore."

Now we have pictures of the deceased. Looking at the photos, it is right to seriously question whether the Gabonese government has once again lied to its people and the international community. Gabon is recognized by Amnesty International and the U.S. State Department as a country that has been violating blithely Human rights for decades. Would the dead from the prison of Bitam they be one more incident of the uncomplimentary charts to Gabon, a country directed with iron fist by the Bongo family for over 44 years?

It goes without saying that with the photos that reveal the swollen faces of the dead from the prison of Bitam, Ali Bongo and his cronies of the PDG (ruling party for 44 years) must respond to the world about what really happened to the deceased. Even if they were illegal in Gabon, the fact remains that every human being should be treated with dignity. There is no reason why the police or the gendarmerie have carried out torture to death of men, only to get away without consequences for the vile acts posed.

Even better, for the Gabonese government, if there is clear evidence that he lied to the people and the international community on the deaths of prison Bitam, it must also suffer the consequences or sanctions following such manipulation of the information and its recidivism in the violation of Human Rights.

What Ben Ali Bongo and his government will still tell us lies like now?

The international protection of human rights organizations must go up to the plate and denounce the reactionary attitude of the Government of Gabon and President of Gabon who wanted to hide the truth!

Let's recall that out of the presidential elections of 30 August 2009, the military (including the famous Red Berets) committed atrocities against people who were demonstrating peacefully. Results: at least a dozen deaths. Images are still around to show what happened, including on YouTube. No investigation was made ​​and the Gabonese government has never explained why the soldiers fired live ammunition on unarmed people?

Body a young man killed in 2009 during 

a peaceful demontrastion in Port-Gentil, Gabon

How long will the human rights violations continue in Gabon without Ali Ben Bongo, and the PDG, his party, pay the true price? Can they continue to kill the defenseless people in this way and continue to lead Gabon?
Reference: A Gabonese, speaks out about elections being stolen by Ali Bongo

CL

Letter to President Barack Obama from Civil Society of #Gabon

Libreville (Gabon), June 8, 2011

Letter from Civil Society of Gabon to BARACK OBAMA

To the President of the United States of America, BARACK OBAMA

Prelude to his meeting with Ali Bongo, President of Gabon

Excellency Mr. President,

It is in the name of the cardinal democratic values that underpin the United States of America that the Gabonese civil society comes to you, when you are preparing to receive Mr. Ali Bongo, President of the Republic of Gabon, who presides over the destiny of the Security Council of the United Nations, and expose to you the catastrophic situation of governance and democracy in Gabon.

Independent since 1960, Gabon has two main pathologies that affect all segments of society: bad governance and corruption.

Bad governance

The main characteristic of this disease lies in the refusal of any democratic change through the confiscation of power by fraudulent means, rigged elections, the results of elections are known in advance, the list of electors domiciled at the Ministry of Interior undergoes systematic manipulation and trafficking of all kinds in order to maintain a corrupt system and hated by the population. The ballot box results are reversed for the benefit of the Gabonese Democratic (sic) Party (Parti Democratique Gabonais, PDG), the party-state, in power for 44 years, one of the last remnants of the monolithic political system in Africa, also responsible of the widespread bankruptcy and ruin the country.

Yes, Mr. President, Gabon is in ruined, its democracy is devastated.

Institutions in general have no credibility because they are ideologically and politically loyal to the Gabonese Democratic Party. Their sole aim is regime survival. The last constitutional amendment decided unilaterally by the PDG, the sole aim to empower and create an unlimited lifetime presidency for Mr. Ali Bongo, is the perfect illustration of democratic stagnation in Gabon. Similarly, the Constitutional Court is one of the bolts of a real walk from Gabon to the rule of law and democracy. That institution led by the beautiful mother of Ali Bongo and includes former chiefs of the ruling party firmly blocked democracy. She stubbornly refuses the establishment of legal mechanisms to organize credible elections, transparent and democratic in the country, with the direct involvement of civil society organizations in all phases of Gabon election (pre-election, during election and post-election). The Constitution Court has consistently opposed the introduction of BIOMERTRY in the electoral system when all political actors and civil society have unanimously chosen angelically the biometry system.

We have come to a bitter realization that the actions, methods and practices of the actual gabonese government are contrary to the international standards of democracy

Journalists are imprisoned and threatened with death simply because they expose corruption, and wrong and anti-democratic actions of people belonging to the government or the presidential family. The journalist Désiré ENAME, Managing Editor of the weekly ECHOS DU NORD, was abducted and kidnapped by the police, exploited by a relative of President, Frederik BONGO. Thanks to the rapid mobilization of civil society, ENAME Desiré was released.

Every day, freedom of association are threatened. Trade unionists defending their rights have been imprisoned. Some unionists, members of the CONASYCED, have seen their salaries for several months suspended for demanding respect for commitments made by the government.

Newspapers very critical of those in power are suspended or destroyed by special agents working for people in power.

The two public television channels routinely conduct a shameless manipulation of public opinion.

Democratic expressions such as peaceful marches or gatherings are banned or brutally suppressed by security forces which behave with civilians as forces of occupation and repression.

The opposition parties are marginalized, their activities are subjected to considerable harassment. Several members and supporters of a dissolved opposition party were removed from the public service staff or prosecuted.

As you can be see, Gabon is not a democratic country, its political power is dictatorial because based on fraud and repression of democratic forces as mechanisms for sustaining political power at odds with the democratic values ​​on which United States are based. This is indeed the same family who confiscates the power and dividends and divert public funds for the sole benefit of their small caste of barony.

The corruption of the ruling elite enriched indefinitely and growing extreme poverty in the population

Since Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba took over the business of the country, many decisions to improve the management of the state have been announced, but the implementation of these initiatives is still pending. Informed observers refer to this as "the effects of ads or pure publicity" ...

Meanwhile, corruption linked in particular to public market procurement and management of revenues from extractive industries affects all segments of the Gabonese administration. The most significant example in 2011 is the business that brings the organization of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2012: SOCOBA and ENTRACO, two corporations owned by the president's family, have the largest number of contracts. It is the same with the Gabonese oil revenues that are in the hands of the president's family or relatives living within his galaxy.

In the same vein of spoliation of Gabon's financial resources, rotating holidays, a real money pit that has swallowed more than 500 billion CFA francs, allowed different political barons and deans to serve themselves without shame in the country coffers, with impunity. Most recently, the President has even offered at Gabon's taxpayers expense, a sumptuous estate valued at 100 million Euros, in Paris, while the Gabonese children suffer from poor education and social inequality in constant progression.

In addition, audits measures undertaken by the Court of Accounts (Cour des Comptes) show the extent of the abuses and economic crimes committed in that program called "fêtes tournantes du Gabon" (sort of  revolving festivities regarding Gabon's Independence Day). At the institutional level, the National Commission of Fight Against Illicit Enrichment lacks effectiveness, independence and means of action to match its ambitions, because of the lack of political will. While the barons of the regime empty country's coffers, poverty is growing by leaps and bounds. The country lacks everything.

Initiative EITI Extractive Industries Transparency suffers a setback and the government no longer seems to give importance to this noble initiative which last conciliation report was published in 2006.

Mr. President, as you can see, Gabon is in ruin, Gabon is victim and strongly affected by the two conditions, ie a bad democratic governance based on a fraudulent electoral system and a corrupt regime. Gabon was ranked among countries with Africa's highest corruption index.

Faced with this situation, Civil society denounces in the strongest terms this desire to organize the next legislative in current fraudulent and anti-democratic conditions. We recommend for one hand, the return of the election in two rounds for all elections, and secondly, the limitation of the length of mandates or terms for the president, legislative and constituent bodies of the state.

The above being said, considering your historic speech in Accra for Africa where you said:

"Governments that respect the will of their people, who govern by consent and not coercion, are more prosperous, more stable and more successful than those who do not. "

"It's not just holding elections, we must see what happens between elections. Punishment takes many forms and too many countries, even those that hold elections, are plagued with problems that condemn their people to poverty. "

"Nobody wants to live in a society where the rule of law gives way to the law of the strongest and corruption.This is not democracy, that is tyranny, even if occasionally you sprinkle an election here and there, and it is time that this style of government disappears.

" In addition you added that "a strong democratic country is that the stability of its democratic institutions and not politicians."

Your speech of ACCRA reasoned in our ears and met with a favorable response from Gabonese who aspire to live in a country freed from tyranny and corruption. A country where citizens can express their opinion freely, a country where we will see the advent of reliable and democratic institutions. Gabonese today are trapped in a predatory and corrupt system that steals at the climax all the resources of the country, in billions of dollars. Mr. President, such a system should no longer thrive. You must, on behalf of democracy and freedom, say this to Mr Ali Bongo Ondimba, while expressing your opposition to the militarization of Gabon, to installation of the reign of terror where the armed forces of the second and third categories are deployed each day in the streets, as a country under siege!

In this regard, please kindly send a clear message to Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba on democracy and freedom and he must commit to:

- Organizing democratic elections impartially, with the involvement of Civil society and under the supervision of the international community to ensure a peaceful transition to democracy desired by the whole population of Gabon;

- To adopt the institutional reforms proposed by Civil society to strengthen democracy base on international standards of (good) governance, specific to all democratic systems.

Civil Society for Gabon:

- Marc Ona Essangui, President Brainforest, GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL Price 2009: (241) 07294140: ona_essangui@yahoo.com

- George MPAG, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Network of Organizations of Free Civil Society for Good Governance in Gabon (ROLBG): (00 241) 07519932: gmpaga@yahoo.fr

- Alain MOUPOPA, President of African NGO Horizons of Human Rights: (00241) 07751503

- Dieudonné Minlam MINTOGO, President of the National Observatory of Democracy: (00241) 07948719: minlamadd@yahoo.fr

- Joel Celestin MAMBOUNDOU: President of the NGO Governance Democracy and Environmental Health (DILDOS) and Network Coordinator TAI: (00 241) 07943034

(Translation from french, by CLG)