🇬🇦GabonCentral Africa
Documentary "Mindoumbe" highlights Gabon's environmental crisis
via Gabon Review3 min read
The documentary short film "Mindoumbe," directed by Matamba Kombila, premiered at the French Institute of Gabon IFG on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The film immerses viewers in the Mindoubé landfill, which has become a symbol of waste management failures in the Gabonese capital over decades. "Mindoumbe" exposes the environmental and health consequences of a site exploited for over forty-five years, including water pollution, mangrove destruction, plastic waste proliferation, health risks, and social precarity. The documentary features residents living near the refuse mountain, including a woman who salvages items for resale to support her family. It also shows the Lowé River, choked with plastic waste flowing to the sea, transforming a natural resource into a source of pollution. Matamba Kombila stated that the artificial hill, dozens of meters high and covering ten hectares, inspired the film, emphasizing that it would not exist without forty-five years of accumulated waste. A debate, "Imagining tomorrow's recycling circuits," followed the screening, bringing together sustainable development and environmental protection experts. Dr. Saint Bickolard Mabicka Iwangou, a wood science specialist, highlighted the crucial role of mangroves in combating climate change and warned about the destructive effects of illegal dumps on these fragile ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity. Afame Edou Tchouindo, a sustainable development expert and corporate social responsibility CSR consultant, str
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
On June 18, 2026, the fifth International Day for Countering Hate Speech, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the role of digital platform algorithms in spreading hate. He highlighted that these algorithms often prioritize divisive content over information and social cohesion, stating that "too many algorithms value outrage and division, encourage lies to get 'likes,' and incite violence to generate views." Guterres also raised concerns about online anonymity, which complicates holding perpetrators accountable and contributes to a sense of impunity. He warned that hate speech is often the "first step on the path to dehumanization," potentially leading to violence, conflict, and atrocities, particularly targeting women, migrants, refugees, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other minorities. The Secretary-General called for global mobilization, urging states and technology companies to take stronger action. He emphasized the need to reinforce education to recognize and reject hate speech, better protect targeted individuals, and demand firmer responses from governments and tech firms. Guterres reiterated that international law obliges states to combat incitement to hatred and that freedom of expression cannot justify harmful messages. He pointed to the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech and the Global Principles for Information Integrity as crucial tools for a safer, more ethical digital environment, concluding with an appeal to
An estimated 100 million CFA francs worth of narcotics, including cannabis and Tramadol tablets, was incinerated on Thursday, June 18, at the public landfill in Tchibanga, the capital of Nyanga province. The operation was ordered by the Public Prosecutor at the Tchibanga Court of First Instance, Guychard Ndongo Mebalé, and carried out in accordance with final judicial decisions. These illicit products, which had been seized and placed under seal, were confiscated by the justice system before their destruction, as reported by the Gabonese Press Agency AGP. Public Prosecutor Guychard Ndongo Mebalé addressed the press, emphasizing the significance of this operation as a demonstration of the judicial authorities' commitment to rigorously enforce court decisions. He stated, "This is a significant quantity of cannabis and 'kobolos' tablets, valued at one hundred million CFA francs. It is also an opportunity for us to call on everyone to be extremely vigilant." The initiative also aims to raise public awareness about the risks associated with the consumption and circulation of prohibited substances. The prosecutor acknowledged the persistence of criminal activities in the region but reaffirmed the justice system's determination to pursue those responsible, stating, "We will track them down to their last stronghold." He noted that traffickers "are not ready to back down," but assured that the judicial response would remain firm and constant. Nyanga province faces a significant securi
Must ReadFrom June 15 to 16, a high-level meeting in Libreville brought together African parliamentary leaders, experts, and partners to discuss consolidating political transitions. The event, themed "From transition to consolidating the achievements of refoundation: for credible, inclusive, and resilient Parliaments," followed up on the May 2025 Libreville Declaration. Its goal was to foster cooperation, share best practices, and support states transitioning to stable constitutional order, resulting in recommendations for consolidating these achievements. Participants reviewed political dynamics in Africa, highlighting challenges in democratic governance during and after transitions. Ali Kolotou Tchaïmi, President of the National Assembly of Chad, emphasized that legislative institutions must actively contribute to state stabilization and refoundation while strengthening democratic control and citizen representation. His Gabonese counterpart, Michel Régis Onanga M. Ndiaye, stressed the need to restore trust between citizens and institutions and underlined the central role of Parliaments in consolidating democratic legitimacy and the rule of law. Experts Nassirou Arifari Bako and Ibrahima Niane highlighted the importance of building robust institutions and implementing sustainable structural reforms. Other speakers, including Socé Sène and Christine Atoemne Mensah, emphasized citizen inclusion for successful reforms. Discussions also covered cross-cutting issues like security, human r