Jean Gaspard Ntoutoume Ayi warns of catastrophic public finances during budget debate
via Gabon Review3 min read
During the Budget Orientation Debate on June 27, 2026, Akanda deputy Jean Gaspard Ntoutoume Ayi, former Director General of Debt, delivered a stark assessment of Gabon's public finances. Speaking for five minutes, he described the country's budgetary and financial situation as "catastrophic" and "unprecedented," attributing the August 30, 2023, coup to this crisis. Ntoutoume Ayi challenged the notion of Gabon as a rich country, emphasizing that while it possesses considerable resources and human potential, transforming these into wealth requires significant effort and sacrifice. He highlighted the burden of debt, noting that the 2026 amended finance law necessitates borrowing over 1,400 billion F.CFA, not for investment, but to balance the budget. This borrowing will incur over 1,000 billion F.CFA in interest alone over the next decade, equivalent to 1,000 km of paved roads. Additionally, the state will incur nearly 100 billion F.CFA in interest and bank fees this year to cover treasury shortfalls, a sum twice the justice budget and five times that of the National Assembly. Ntoutoume Ayi stressed that a deep cleansing of public accounts is essential for any development strategy, urging against easy solutions like refinancing and rescheduling, which he believes only benefit creditors without offering lasting solutions. He called on leaders to rise to the challenges facing the nation.
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The third graduating class of the Libreville School of Administration of Defense Forces EAFD, named "Bernard Gnamankala," officially completed their training on June 26, 2026. Comprising 25 officers from 10 African countries, this promotion aims to apply their skills to modernize military administrations and enhance security cooperation across the continent. The graduation ceremony, held at Camp de Gaulle in Libreville, emphasized excellence, discipline, and a sense of duty. The class is named in honor of Bernard Gnamankala, former head of the Directorate General of Documentation and Immigration and current Director of the Presidential Communications Interception System. These officers were trained in administration, management, and support for defense forces. Bernard Gnamankala addressed the graduates, stressing that their diplomas represent a significant responsibility to serve with competence, loyalty, and honor, prioritizing collective interest. Colonel Jean-C么me Journ茅, Defense Attach茅 at the French Embassy in Gabon, highlighted the exemplary military cooperation between Gabon and France, built on trust and shared expertise. Presiding over the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of State for National Defense, Major General Sylvain Florient Pangou Mbembo, Secretary General of the Ministry, commended the quality of EAFD's training. He underscored the critical role of administration officers in modern armies, stating they are indispensable for operational effectiveness. The
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