Gabon: RPM calls for restraint from Ali Bongo after his remarks against Oligui Nguema
via Gabon Review2 min read
The Rally for the Homeland and Modernity RPM has expressed surprise at the form and tone of Ali Bongo's recent statement, which was a response to an interview given by Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema on France24. In a communiqué published on June 4, the RPM stated it was astonished by the communiqué issued on June 3, 2026, in Ali Bongo Ondimba's name via a proxy and spokesperson. The party, whose interim presidency is held by Jean-Robert Goulongana, found it surprising that the former President, who is reportedly in full mental faculties, would need an intermediary to respond to the Head of State. The RPM questioned the significance of this approach, especially since Ali Bongo claims to be fully capable of speaking for himself. The party also expressed astonishment at the "particularly aggressive tone" used by the former Head of State towards Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, noting that the latter ensured Ali Bongo's security after the events of August 30, 2023. The RPM highlighted that Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family officially left Gabon for humanitarian reasons, with the option to return freely. However, the party criticized his political record, describing his governance as having led the country into political, economic, and social deadlock, ultimately precipitating his downfall. The RPM believes Ali Bongo is more concerned with rewriting his legacy than with introspection. Recalling the former President's statements that he no longer wished to seek the votes of Gabonese citi
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
A financial scandal involving alleged overbilling of treasury bonds, totaling over 560 million FCFA, has been uncovered at Gabon's Ministry of National Education. Judicial Police services have arrested approximately twenty agents from the Central Directorate of Financial Affairs DCAF in connection with the investigation. The alleged fraud came to light following an audit initiated after recent strikes in the education sector. Investigations into disbursements for temporary assignments reportedly revealed significant irregularities in public fund management. The arrested agents, part of a department with over sixty employees, deny direct responsibility for establishing the fraudulent mechanism. They claim to have been mere executors of financial operations validated by their superiors, stating they are neither authorizing officers nor credit administrators. The accused also argue that funds withdrawn for temporary assignments were often used to finance unforeseen or unbudgeted administrative needs. This case highlights internal control weaknesses within public administrations, particularly as teachers' demands regarding working conditions and payment of certain services persist. The investigation is ongoing to determine individual responsibilities and the potential involvement of other actors in the financial chain. The arrested individuals are expected to appear before the public prosecutor in the coming days. If confirmed, this case could represent one of the most significan
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has agreed to Gabon hosting the World Health Organization's Africa Health Committee meeting in August 2027. This decision followed a request from the new WHO Resident Representative in Gabon, Dr. Xavier Crespin, during an audience at the presidential palace on June 4. The meeting also marked Dr. Crespin's official assumption of duties and reaffirmed the WHO's commitment to supporting Gabon's health policy implementation. The organization of this continental meeting in Gabon signals the WHO's confidence in the Gabonese authorities. Dr. Crespin noted that recent progress in the health sector has strengthened the country's credibility with international technical and financial partners. He specifically praised advancements since the advent of the 5th Republic, including strengthening the health system, modernizing hospital infrastructure, improving healthcare services, and social initiatives to bring health services closer to the population. Dr. Crespin believes these reforms demonstrate a strong political will to make health a key driver of human development and improved living conditions for citizens. President Oligui Nguema reiterated his vision for a modern, efficient, and accessible healthcare system for all. He expressed his intention to continue investments in health infrastructure in Libreville and throughout the country, strengthen medical personnel training, improve sector governance, and further develop local healthcare. The meet
The 5th edition of Lékédi Biodiversity Day, held in Bakoumba within the Lékédi Park, highlighted the ambition of Eramet Comilog and the Lékédi Biodiversity Foundation to establish the locality as a regional model for preservation and territorial development. The event, themed "Biodiversity, a lever for growth in Gabon" and part of World Environment Week, gathered institutional, scientific, and technical stakeholders. It reaffirmed Eramet Comilog's commitment to integrating environmental issues into its operations, aligning with its "Act for positive mining" CSR roadmap and international standards for responsible mining. Discussions aimed to lay the groundwork for valuing Gabon's natural capital. Zita Kassa Wilks, representative of the Cafi-Gabon Fund, presented green financing tools to transform biodiversity into a driver for territorial development. Two roundtables explored ecological rehabilitation as a value creator, demonstrating its potential to combine ecosystem restoration with local economic benefits. The second roundtable addressed health challenges, emphasizing the link between sustainable wildlife management, zoonoses prevention, and public health in Central African forest areas. The day also focused on educating young generations, with forty students from the Gabon Green Generation program, supported by WWF Gabon, creating an immersive "ecosystemic village" showcasing savannas, forests, aquatic environments, and mangroves. This initiative illustrated the richness
Must ReadOn June 1, 2026, Philippe Tonangoye, the Minister of Universal Access to Water and Energy, officially launched the feasibility studies for the Booué hydroelectric dam project in Gabon. Accompanied by teams from Gabon Power Company and the World Bank, the Minister visited the project site. This 400 MW infrastructure is intended to be a significant driver for Gabon's energy sovereignty and industrial development. The visit follows discussions between Gabonese authorities, international financial institutions, and technical partners to advance the project and secure necessary funding, including exchanges during the World Bank's Spring Meetings in Washington. The delegation inspected two sites for the dam and hydroelectric plant, identified through pre-feasibility studies by Gabon Power Company and Électricité de France EDF and validated by the Ministry of Energy. The mission also included dialogue with local authorities and communities in Booué regarding the project's implications and development prospects for the Ogooué-Ivindo province and the entire country. Minister Tonangoye emphasized the President's commitment to the project, highlighting sustained engagement with funders, technical partners, and international sector players. Significant progress includes a memorandum of understanding signed in October 2025 between GPC and EDF, validation of pre-feasibility studies, and the official launch of feasibility studies. The Booué dam, located in central Gabon, is expected to play