Oligui Nguema discusses his first year in power with Jeune Afrique
via Gabon Review6 min read
In an exclusive interview with Jeune Afrique on April 18 in Libreville, Gabon's head of state, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, addressed various issues one year after his inauguration. He discussed the country's debt and its program with the IMF, power outages and the crisis at SEEG, justice and the Bilie-By-Nze case, legal proceedings involving the Bongo family in London, and relations with Paris and Washington. Oligui Nguema stated his primary pride is restoring the right to free choice to Gabon, citing "five elections in less than two years." His main regret is the persistence of power and water cuts and the high cost of living, acknowledging that "Gabonese people suffer daily." Regarding the energy deficit, he attributed the crisis to "fifteen years of abandonment and underinvestment" at SEEG and outlined a 2025-2028 rehabilitation plan to add 735 megawatts, aiming for "zero outages by late 2027-2028." He also claimed responsibility for the ongoing debt audit, stating, "It is I, not the IMF, who requested this audit." He firmly stated, "We will never sign an agreement that sacrifices the Gabonese people." On justice, he asserted the independence of the Gabonese judiciary, dismissing political interpretations of the incarceration of Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze and noting that Noureddin and Sylvia Bongo "were convicted in a fair trial." He also spoke about ending paternalism in relations with France and pursuing a "win-win" diplomacy with Washington, citing investments from Ame
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Gabon and Italy have enhanced their judicial cooperation to combat human trafficking, a transnational crime. From June 15 to 17, the National School of Magistracy ENM in Gabon hosted a training session for magistrates and judicial police officers. Organized by the Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna of Pisa with support from the Italian Republic, this initiative demonstrates both countries' commitment to sharing expertise. The training, held in Libreville, aimed to improve coordination between magistrates and law enforcement to enhance investigations, prosecutions, and international judicial cooperation against criminal networks. This collaboration is part of a broader partnership between Gabon and Italy in justice and security, illustrating their ongoing commitment to strengthening the rule of law and judicial cooperation in Africa. The Italian Embassy in Libreville highlighted human trafficking as a major criminal and humanitarian issue in Africa, involving exploitation such as domestic servitude, forced labor, sexual exploitation, and forced begging. The cooperation between Libreville and Rome seeks to protect victims and combat the mechanisms perpetuating this phenomenon, contributing to a more resilient justice system prepared for cross-border threats.
Must ReadUN Secretary-General Ant贸nio Guterres, speaking in London on June 23, urged a rapid transition to renewable energy, emphasizing that climate and energy security are intertwined. He noted that the planet faces dual crises: a worsening climate crisis and an energy crisis fueled by geopolitical tensions and volatile hydrocarbon markets, both stemming from fossil fuel dependence. Guterres highlighted that the past eleven years have been the warmest on record and warned against exceeding the 1.5掳C global warming limit, which could lead to irreversible planetary changes. He argued that renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are not only crucial for combating climate change but also serve as instruments for economic security and national sovereignty, offering independence that hydrocarbons cannot guarantee. Guterres presented a seven-point roadmap for accelerating this transition, including strengthening climate commitments, reducing methane emissions, halting new fossil fuel infrastructure, and increasing investments in electrical grids. He also called for transparency on AI data center environmental footprints, a just transition for fossil fuel workers and producing countries, increased financing for developing nations, and better protection of science from climate disinformation. While Gabon was not explicitly mentioned, the UN's message resonates with the country, which possesses significant natural assets. Guterres's advocacy suggests that countries rich in natural
Must ReadO'Kaba, Gabon's first mobile super application, is enhancing its data protection measures ahead of its beta launch in July 2026. Project promoters met with the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy APDPVP on June 23, 2026, to ensure the platform complies with legal requirements and prioritizes user security. C茅dric Ivendengani Assambi, an information systems engineer, stated that engaging with the APDPVP was essential to align with their obligations as a digital platform. Digital trust, including privacy protection, personal information security, and data use transparency, is a core principle guiding O'Kaba's development. The platform aims to be a national digital reference, facilitating access to a wide range of value-added digital services for citizens, businesses, and administrations. The name "O'Kaba" means "sharing" in Obamba, reflecting its goal to consolidate various services and meet daily needs. While existing mobile applications address some needs like transport or delivery, O'Kaba seeks to unify these services to provide a comprehensive solution. The platform will connect individuals and vendors in a secure environment, allowing users to order local products and receive delivery. Project leaders expressed satisfaction with the APDPVP's insights, which will help refine the platform, with user information security remaining a top priority. This institutional, technical, and strategic support is intended to strengthen O'Kaba's data governance and f