Following the conclusion of the national dialogue aimed at deep reforms in the country, panelists on Saturday called for the suspension of all political parties, numbering over a hundred. Additionally, leaders of the PDG, the former ruling party, will be ineligible for three years. This recommendation, currently sparking controversy, has stirred debate within various political factions.
Political parties were already disgruntled by having only one representative each at the concluded national dialogue. This latest announcement is perceived as an additional sanction. Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou, leader of the PSD party, expresses his discontent: “It’s absurd. Those who decided on these absurdities must understand that we will not stand idly by. I believe there are simple criteria: you are funded based on the effort you exert in each election. Those with elected officials are funded, and those with nothing languish and will eventually disappear. This solves the problem, but we cannot restrain people. There is no worse dictatorship than the period of exception. A coup d’état leads to the entrenchment of dictatorship.”
Other factions are more supportive of the suspension, reminding that some parties were instruments of the former regime. “There are backpack parties, which only exist in the president’s bag that he created,” says Clay Martial Obame Akwe, first vice president of the CGR. “This regime created them to dismantle and weaken the Gabonese opposition. Gabonese citizens have thought for Gabon to present a different face that will ensure our democracy is more credible and peaceful.”
When asked about the sanctions targeting them, the Gabonese Democratic Party has not yet responded.
However, discreetly, several parties suspect that this measure serves the interests of the junta. They particularly point out the creation of several pro-government associations, which will not be affected by the suspension.
Consolidated presidential regime, possibility for President Oligui Nguema to run in elections, national priority in economy and employment, as well as improvement of services, are among the recommendations to be implemented by the authorities… Our special envoy Sébastien Németh asked for the opinions of a few Gabonese.