Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Désiré-Clitandre Dzonteu
Published on 2024-03-18 10:57:33
The new leaders of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), the former ruling party, closed on March 16th at the Libreville Botanical Gardens, the Self-Criticism and Refoundation Conference (AAR) of their political party. At the end of the meeting, a plethora of recommendations were made to avoid past mistakes. But first, some prominent figures were subject to “invectives” from their comrades, reproaching them for the “scabrous” management that led to the loss of power.
For several weeks, militants and leaders of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), at the federal, departmental, communal, and provincial levels, mobilized for the Self-Criticism and Refoundation Conference. They concluded on March 16th, with the presence of some of the key figures in this political group. This was a real milestone after the coup d’état on August 30, 2023, which overthrew the former regime in Libreville, led by Ali Bongo Ondimba. The goal was to synthesize the discussions and draw lessons from the 56 years of uninterrupted power in the country. This allowed some militants to vent their frustrations on the former holders of power, who also made their mea culpa.
Overthrown on August 30, 2023, following tensions that led to a coup d’état, the former ruling party, the PDG, aimed to breathe new life and restore its image. Its leaders who remained loyal despite the wave of resignations and the original militants organized these Self-Criticism and Refoundation Conferences to reflect on the journey of their political stable and renew their commitment to improve the party. In essence, the focus was on militant engagement, discipline, and continuous improvement of the functioning of this political stable to avoid past mistakes.
On the other hand, it was about maintaining the political leadership of the PDG, which, as Faustin Boukoubi, the president of the Conference Bureau, recalled, is “the oldest, most widespread, and most representative political party of the Gabonese population” and “serves development in addition to consolidating well-being, national unity, and peace.” He pointed out that “its leaders are obliged to act with patriotism and humility,” before reminding that “no human endeavor being perfect, regaining composure is an act of humility and responsibility.”
The former president of the National Assembly also added that “during this exercise, the militants showed recognition of their mistakes, without ignoring the many achievements since 1968.” “The most important thing is to revitalize the party and refocus it on the fundamental values established by our patriarch, the founder-president of the PDG,” he recommended.
At the end of the Conference, the recommendations issued focused on reforming deliberative bodies, the candidate selection process, and electoral management. “A party where there is no communication is not a party. We must communicate within the party, and that’s how we will gradually correct our course,” said Paul Biyoghé Mba, the 1st Vice President of the PDG.
“Set aside from the management of state affairs” for over 7 months, the Self-Criticism and Refoundation Conference aimed to allow PDG militants to engage in self-critique, consider perspectives, and especially renew commitments for the smooth running of this structure. Inevitably, future political and electoral events are looming, despite the setbacks that led to its downfall.
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Review
