Former Prime Minister Bilie-By-Nze arrested in Libreville over 18-year-old debt
via Gabon Review5 min read
Former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze was arrested on April 15, 2026, in Libreville, Gabon. The arrest, which occurred outside his home without a prior summons or complaint, is linked to an unpaid debt of 5 million CFA francs from 2008. This debt relates to a service provided during the 9th edition of the Festival of Cultures, an event for which Bilie-By-Nze chaired the organizing committee. At the time, he also served as Minister Delegate to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. His associates claim the debt is owed by the Public Treasury, not Bilie-By-Nze personally, as the Ministry of Culture was the official organizer. The circumstances of the arrest, particularly the involvement of the B2 military intelligence service instead of standard judicial procedures, and the timing, have raised questions. The arrest follows Bilie-By-Nze's recent public statements on international television, where he reported receiving threats due to his declared opposition to the current regime.
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After months of speculation and delays, the Gabonese Football Federation Fegafoot officially announced on Wednesday, July 15, the appointment of French coach S茅bastien Mign茅 as the new coach of the Gabon Panthers. The 54-year-old former Haiti coach brings extensive experience in African football, having coached several national teams and clubs on the continent. Fegafoot stated that the announcement was postponed to respect Mign茅's contractual obligations with the Haitian national team, from which he was officially released by mutual agreement after the World Cup. Fegafoot President Pierre-Alain Mounguengui is scheduled to present the details of this choice at a press conference today in Owendo. Mign茅's career includes working with prominent French football figures, and coaching national teams such as Congo, Togo, Equatorial Guinea, Kenya, and Cameroon, before leading Haiti in March 2024. Fegafoot emphasized Mign茅's high-level experience and deep knowledge of African football as key factors in his selection, aiming to revitalize the national team and help them qualify for major continental and international competitions.
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