Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze's lawyers accuse Gabonese justice system of procedural violations
via Gabon Review3 min read
Lawyers for Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, former Prime Minister of the Gabonese Republic and a political opponent, have issued a press release from Paris and Libreville on June 2, 2026, detailing alleged procedural violations in his detention. Bilie-By-Nze has been incarcerated at Libreville's central prison since April 15, 2026, placed under a committal order the following day for events dating back to 2008. His lawyers contend the accusations are baseless and that his detention is null due to a series of procedural breaches. The defense first requested an interrogation of Bilie-By-Nze from investigating judge Wilfried Adjondo on April 30, 2026. According to Article 96 of the Gabonese Code of Criminal Procedure, the judge had eight days to respond or issue a reasoned rejection. The judge reportedly failed to respond within this legal timeframe. On May 11, the defense appealed to the Indictment Chamber of the Libreville Court of Appeal, presided over by Mrs. Ovangue Iguendja and including Mrs. Danielle Antsouo Aboudou and Mrs. Elsa Biyeghe Bicke, to order the interrogation. The law stipulates an eight-day deadline for this chamber to rule, failing which the procedure becomes null. The chamber did not rule by May 19, 2026. On May 22, the defense reiterated its request to the Indictment Chamber, highlighting "twelve days of obstinate and complicit silence" and demanding the chamber acknowledge the nullity under Article 96 and order Bilie-By-Nze's immediate release. The public pros
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Gabon's Minister of Housing, Urbanism, and Land Registry, Mays Mouissi, launched a national housing program on June 2 in Bikélé-Nzong, alongside President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. This initiative aims to construct 3,100 housing units, addressing a long-standing housing crisis in the country and fulfilling the third pillar of the presidential social project focused on housing. The program includes 1,600 units on 80 hectares in Bikélé and 1,500 units on 100 hectares in Essassa. Minister Mouissi highlighted the severity of the housing crisis over several decades, characterized by a scarcity of programs and precarious living conditions for many households. The government's strategy involves land reform, development of reserves, and housing construction, with initial results showing 16,811 land transfer decisions issued in 100 days and nearly 10,970 plots developed in one year. The project emphasizes creating structured and sustainable urban complexes, not just isolated homes. It is financed by BGFI Bank 100 billion CFA francs and Coris Bank 28 billion CFA francs. The program features an innovative economic model where the housing allowance for civil servants, estimated at 10 billion CFA francs per month 120 billion annually, will be redirected to constitute real estate assets. No deductions will be made before key handover, after which the allowance converts into repayment, ensuring progressive property access without immediate financial pressure. Open to all Gabonese citize
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is actively pursuing initiatives to enhance access to decent housing for Gabonese citizens. On June 1, 2026, the President met with a delegation of real estate developers, led by the Minister of Housing, Mays Mouissi. This meeting focused on the construction of 1,600 social housing units at the Bikélé Nzong site in Estuaire province, a project financially supported by BGFI Bank Group. This program is designed to address the growing demand for housing and improve living conditions. While primarily for public sector employees, the program will also be accessible to private sector workers who meet eligibility criteria. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by President Oligui Nguema to make housing more accessible through controlled land costs, strengthened land security, and increased social housing availability nationwide. The President urged developers to prioritize construction quality, adherence to standards, and timely project completion. The first phase includes over 1,000 housing units in Estuaire, with plans for gradual expansion to all nine provinces. Authorities aim to double the national social housing supply, making the right to housing a reality for more Gabonese citizens.
Must ReadThe Geneva headquarters of commodity trader Gunvor was searched in May as part of an investigation into suspected corruption of foreign public officials. The probe centers on an oil contract signed with Gabon in 2024, which occurred amid the nationalization of strategic assets and significant financing provided to the Gabon Oil Company GOC. The investigation, revealed by NGO Public Eye and confirmed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Confederation MPC, focuses on the 2024 oil contract, which Public Eye described as "opaque." According to Public Eye, this contract is linked to a major financial operation that enabled the Gabonese state to regain control of strategic oil assets, including those of Assala Energy. To finance this acquisition, Gunvor reportedly granted GOC a loan of approximately one billion dollars. In return, Gunvor allegedly secured privileged, and according to some sources, exclusive access to the marketing of Gabonese crude oil. Sector observers have highlighted that certain clauses in the agreement appear particularly advantageous for the Swiss trader. Critics have raised concerns about the loan repayment terms, which mandate substantial monthly payments from Gabon over five years, with analysts suggesting these financial arrangements could heavily impact the country's oil revenues. Public Eye's investigation also claims to have identified a system of parallel payments intended to compensate intermediaries in Africa. These revelations reportedly prompt
Gabon's Qwan Ki Do team achieved significant international recognition by finishing as vice-champion at the 8th World Championship in Romania. The team, largely composed of members from the Gabonese military engineering corps, earned one silver medal and two bronze medals. This performance allowed the Gabonese flag to be raised and the national anthem, La Concorde, to be played during award ceremonies. Arnaud Lilian Billie, deputy coordinator of the national Qwan Ki Do team, stated that these results confirm Gabon's growing influence in martial arts. In addition to their world vice-champion title, the Gabonese delegation also secured the African champion title. Me Guy Florent Evouna, the Qwan Ki Do representative in Gabon, thanked partners and institutional support for enabling the team's participation. Following a technical meeting with the discipline's founding grand master, Gabon was chosen to host the next African Championship. This continental event is scheduled for April 2027 in Libreville, where it will bring together top African teams and further establish Gabon's leadership in Qwan Ki Do on the continent.