Gabonese activist questions French expatriate votes for National Rally ahead of 2027 presidential election

Ngomo highlights an increase in votes for Marine Le Pen's party among French residents in Gabon, from 14% in 2017 to 17.5% in 2022. He argues that French citizens enjoying African hospitality should not support a party whose platform is built on anti-African immigration sentiments. Ngomo, known for his critical views on governance, democracy, and public liberties, suggests that such voting behavior demonstrates a disregard for the generosity of their host countries.

He points out that the National Rally, a successor to the National Front, has historical ties to extreme right-wing ideologies, including racism and antisemitism. Ngomo emphasizes that while French citizens are free to elect their leaders, those living in francophone Africa who vote for the National Rally should consider the principle of reciprocity. He suggests that if they wish to support such a party, they should do so from France rather than from African nations, to avoid justified stigmatization.

Ngomo notes that this trend of increasing votes for the National Rally is observed across other francophone African countries as well.