Gabon's Fifth Republic: A deceptive assessment of a government born from promises of change (August 30, 2023 – May 12, 2026)

Noël Biloghe Bi-Ndong, president of EPG-Diaspora and a specialist in risk and compliance management, has critically assessed the performance of the Gabonese government that came to power on August 30, 2023. He argues that despite numerous visible achievements and inaugurations, the government's promises of change, including employment, rule of law, economic sovereignty, and dignity, have not been fully met. Bi-Ndong highlights three key figures: the national debt increasing towards 80% of GDP, five downgrades of the sovereign rating, and the unverifiable promise of 163,000 jobs between August 2023 and May 2026. He contends that a true assessment should compare promises with actual results, rather than just activity or infrastructure projects. The article points out that while institutional restoration, including a new Constitution and elections, has occurred, it has also led to an unprecedented concentration of power in the President's hands, with controversies surrounding electoral processes. The promise of the rule of law is seen as particularly weakened, with accusations of authoritarian drift, including arrests of opponents and prolonged detentions. Economically, despite initiatives like the repurchase of Assala Energy and the launch of major infrastructure projects, the country has faced five sovereign rating downgrades, indicating limited investor confidence. The promise of 163,000 jobs remains unverified, with high youth unemployment persisting. While some social measu