Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Désiré-Clitandre Dzonteu
Published on 2024-02-26 09:00:56
With the objective of “identifying the errors of the past that led to the change of regime and proposing solutions for the future,” the Self-Criticism and Refoundation Forum (AAR) of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), initiated by the interim Secretary General, Luc Oyoubi, seems to have been a missed opportunity. Lack of enthusiasm, lack of funding, lack of coordination, lack of preparation, and haste are some elements that could justify this near-fiasco.
However, initiated by the interim Secretary General of the former ruling party, Luc Oyoubi, with the ambition of restoring the image of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) and especially envisioning the future of this political formation, the Self-Criticism and Refoundation Forum (AAR), held on February 23-24, evidently did not produce the expected effects. Several elements combined have inevitably contributed to diluting the substance of these forums, upon which the hopes of the loyal party members rested.
Coming after the overthrow of the regime on August 30, 2023, following the seizure of power by the defense and security forces within the Committee for Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), PDG’s meeting was intended to shake things up for the PDG. This clearly did not happen. While some provinces were able to convene during the two days of work, in others, nothing of the sort happened or they only met on February 24.
Furthermore, beyond the expected enthusiasm from the time when this group still held the reins of power, it was virtually deserted. Many members, even longtime cadres and hierarchs, were notably absent.
According to our colleague L’Union on February 26, this missed opportunity is attributed by many members to “improvisation, lack of coordination, lack of financial means, etc.” These same members also believe that the interim Secretary General should take full responsibility for all the consequences, especially since he has been criticized by both members and high-ranking officials for his management of the party since the crisis began.
To some members of this political formation, which has led the country for over fifty years, this failure is the result of “a lack of loyalty, fidelity,” but also of “political pettiness” and the attachment of some members more to personalities within the party than to the party itself.
Therefore, the lack of enthusiasm, or even conviction, displayed during these Self-Criticism and Refoundation Forums of the Gabonese Democratic Party nationwide, clearly demonstrates the magnitude of the task that the “comrades” must accomplish if they wish to restore the reputation of their group, truly re-enter the national political scene, and play key roles.
“Relegitimizing the PDG will involve transforming it into a much more open, modern, extroverted movement. Nothing great is built without a minimum of discipline, and no army in the world can win without enlightened leadership,” one of the longtime PDG members stated.
This will allow the party to participate optimally in the transition, properly prepare for upcoming elections, and remain an important political force on the national political stage. However, there is still work to be done, and the meeting on March 12 will certainly shed light on the future of the PDG.
Following these forums, pending the upcoming meeting on March 12 at the Botanical Garden, several recommendations were made, including electing the party president, revising the party’s texts, and establishing an ad hoc commission to handle current affairs until the next Congress.
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Review
