Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Désiré-Clitandre Dzonteu
Published on 2024-03-15 16:19:20
15 years after her death, the memory of Edith Lucie Bongo, the wife of former President Omar Bongo, is still alive in the collective memory in Gabon and Congo-Brazzaville. For this anniversary of the death of the former First Lady of Gabon, commemorative events are taking place during this month of March, both in the country of her parents and in the country of her husband. Moreover, the Gabonese President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, along with his wife Zita, visited Oyo to pay official tributes.
The Transition President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, honored the 15th anniversary of the death of Edith Lucie Bongo in Oyo, Congo-Brazzaville, in the presence of his wife, Zita Oligui Nguema. Alongside the Congolese President, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and his wife, they visited the family cemetery of Edou where a heartfelt tribute was paid to the former First Lady of Gabon, wife of Omar Bongo Ondimba. They then participated in the celebrations dedicated to this event, taking place both in Gabon and in Congo.
The day after his arrival, the Transition President visited the family cemetery of Edou to pay another tribute to the illustrious deceased before joining traditional local groups who came to perform for the occasion.
The Presidency of the Republic has stated that the participation of General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in these memorable moments demonstrates the close historical, cultural, and fraternal relations between the Gabonese and Congolese peoples, and the recognition shown by the Transition President towards the actions carried out by the illustrious deceased. The actions of the former First Lady in the fields of health, education, environment, and the fight against AIDS were remarkable and were highlighted and praised by all the personalities who took part in these commemorations in Oyo.
In Gabon, for example, a whole month is dedicated to honoring the former First Lady. Several activities are organized, including consultations for disabled children at the El Rapha clinic. Under the theme “the handicap of the child in Gabon,” these consultations have already diagnosed more than 160 children with cerebral palsy, autism, and epilepsy.
Edith Lucie Bongo Ondimba, daughter of the Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, passed away on March 14, 2008. Her work is immense in the fields of health, education, and environment. Notably, she was involved in the construction of the El Rapha clinic, the Horizons nouveaux Foundation, and the Michel Dirat school complex. She was very committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS and also supported children in need.
Her memory is still vivid in the minds of the Gabonese, Congolese, and even other nationalities who knew her. Her humanitarian action and memory continue to survive time after her death, as evidenced by the events and actions taking place during this month of March to honor her.
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Review
