Gabon's Coalition for the New Republic denounces "lawfare" in former Prime Minister Bilie-By-Nze's arrest
via Gabon Review2 min read
Eleven days after the incarceration of Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, the Coalition for the New Republic CNR and its allied parties convened on Saturday, April 25, in Libreville to systematically challenge the legal basis for the proceedings against the former Prime Minister. Vincent Moulengui Boukosso, president of the URDP and spokesperson for the platform, demanded Bilie-By-Nze's "immediate and unconditional" release. The case involves the apprehension of the president of Ensemble pour le Gabon EPG by masked individuals on April 15, his "manu militari" transfer to the General Directorate of Research, and a complaint for fraud and breach of trust stemming from a dispute in 2008. The coalition aims to shift the debate to legal and republican coherence. The CNR disputes the fraud charge, stating there is no legal element to establish fraudulent maneuvering. They also argue that the breach of trust charge is unfounded, as funds were never given directly to Bilie-By-Nze but were deposited into an account for a voluntary contribution to the organizing committee. The coalition emphasizes that an acknowledgment of receipt cannot be confused with a recognition of debt. Furthermore, they assert that under the Gabonese Penal Code and Ohada law, the statute of limitations has long expired, eighteen years after the alleged events. Moulengui Boukosso stated that this is clearly a case of "lawfare," where law and justice are used as weapons to weaken or eliminate a political adversary withou
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
The Guinean SONOCO group plans a significant investment in Gabon's poultry sector, aiming to produce over 15 million broiler chickens annually. This initiative seeks to replace imports and create thousands of jobs. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema received a delegation from SONOCO, led by its CEO Abdoul Karim Diallo, to discuss the project. The pan-African conglomerate, based in Guinea, intends to implement an industrial model in Gabon that has proven successful in other African countries. The project's core objective is to meet the national market's demand for chicken, thereby eliminating imports of frozen poultry meat. SONOCO's plan includes establishing an integrated industrial ecosystem covering the entire production chain. This involves local production of animal feed raw materials, construction of a modern poultry feed factory, and the installation of hatcheries and chick farms. The action plan also encompasses creating laying hen farms and broiler chicken farms, alongside building an industrial slaughterhouse that adheres to international standards. This comprehensive integration aims to control production costs, ensure product quality, and sustain the sector. Beyond food security, the project is expected to be a significant driver of economic and social development, with the creation of several thousand direct and indirect jobs. Technical studies are underway, and administrative and land procedures are being finalized with relevant ministries. Operational infras
Four Gabonese nationals, including one woman, were sentenced on June 5, 2026, by the specialized division of the Libreville Court of First Instance for illegal possession and attempted sale of elephant tusks. The arrests occurred on April 25, 2026, in Mitzic, Woleu-Ntem province, during an operation by agents from the Provincial Directorate of Water and Forests and the local Judicial Police, supported by the NGO Conservation Justice. The three main defendants each received a sentence of twelve months in prison, six months of which were suspended, and a fine of 1.76 million CFA francs. The fourth defendant, a woman found guilty of complicity, was sentenced to six months in prison, four months of which were suspended, and a fine of 1.5 million CFA francs. All four were also ordered to jointly pay two million CFA francs to the Water and Forests administration for damages. This verdict, delivered on World Environment Day, underscores the authorities' commitment to combating the illegal trade in protected species and highlights the ongoing threat of ivory trafficking to Gabon's wildlife.
Must ReadGabon's Minister of Digital Economy, Mark-Alexandre Doumba, announced the official launch of the country's first Datacenter on June 30, 2026. This project, led by the Gabonese company ST Digital, aims to ensure the secure hosting of public and private data within the national territory, thereby strengthening Gabon's digital sovereignty. The announcement was made on June 9 following a meeting with Joël Dominique Ledaga, President of the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy APDPVP, and Laïka Mba, General Director of ST Digital. The Datacenter is intended to address citizen concerns regarding the security and management of their personal data by keeping data from public services and Gabonese companies within the country, reducing reliance on foreign hosting platforms. The APDPVP has been involved in the project for several months to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements for personal data protection. This initiative aligns with the President's vision for digital sovereignty, focusing on national control over data, and improved management, sharing, and exploitation. The new infrastructure will benefit the state, private companies, and citizens by modernizing public administration, supporting digital transformation, and enhancing personal data protection. Laïka Mba of ST Digital acknowledged the support from Gabonese authorities and the APDPVP, which facilitated the necessary authorizations for what she described as "Gabon's first eco-responsible D