Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Roxanne Bouenguidi
Published on 2024-03-11 13:34:57
Composition of the team responsible for drafting the report, the need for the press to have accreditation, uncertainty about the security guarantees offered to participants… Decree No. 0115/PT-PR/MI of March 8, 2024 raises fears of a repeat of the Political Consultation organized by the ousted power.
Officially announced last November, the Inclusive National Dialogue is met with circumspection. Published on the 8th of this month, Decree No. 0115/PT-PR/MI outlines its contours, emitting hints of closure, contrary to the proclaimed openness. As if suddenly gripped by fear, the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) attempts to stifle any substantive debate. The composition of the team responsible for drafting the report? It gives this gathering a biased, resolutely institutional dimension, stripping it of any political or popular significance: the minister in charge of Institutional Reform is designated as the general rapporteur, assisted by three “senior state officials”, a “representative of the CTRI”, and a personality mandated by the general secretariat of the presidency of the Republic. As if only representatives of the public authorities are capable of taking notes or summarizing the essence of the exchanges. As if these meetings aim for the modernization of public action and not the “refounding of the State (…)”.
Trying to change things
However, many observers have continuously pointed out: in charge of the daily management of the city, the government is not supposed to organize a meeting of this nature. Let alone animate it. In vain, they repeated: alongside the Archbishop of Libreville, a organizing committee should have been appointed. Between feigned deafness and maintained silence, the CTRI evolved in the twilight. With the publication of this decree, it laid its cards on the table, raising fears of a repeat of the Political Consultation organized by the ousted power. If they do not want to dampen the hopes of the people or drain the meeting of any meaning, the President of the Transition and the Archbishop of Libreville must try to change things. Even if the damage is done, they must keep in mind: presented as a decisive step in the ongoing process, the Inclusive National Dialogue cannot be transformed into a partisan and exclusive monologue.
In addition to restrictions on the right to participate, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma and Jean-Patrick Iba-Ba would be useful in addressing obstacles to transparency. While the opening and closing ceremonies will be open to the public, these meetings will not be broadcast live. Will they benefit from free media coverage? Already, Article 6 of Decree No. 0115/PT-PR/MI of March 8, 2024, requires the press to have accreditation. By whom and based on what criteria will this precious pass be issued? Will the media, especially foreign press, have enough time to complete these formalities? Why should the internal regulations be adopted by the bureau alone and not by the plenum? Who will propose the initial version? The same questions apply to the number and composition of the commissions and sub-commissions.
Disastrous effect
Furthermore, what will be the legal status of the participants? What will be their attributes? Will they be treated equally? What security guarantees will they have? Will the statements made on this occasion be covered by immunity or will the responsibility of the authors be held accountable? Already, some point out: the military, government members, parliamentarians, and magistrates enjoy special statuses on a daily basis. Can they invoke them in this circumstance? Is there a risk of stifling the speech of some to better liberate that of others? Are the ministers attending in their official capacity? Will they have a consultative or deliberative voice? On all these questions, the decree convening and organizing the Inclusive National Dialogue remains silent, casting a shadow over the relevance of the final recommendations.
Overall, the effect of Decree No. 0115/PT-PR/MI of March 8, 2024, is most disastrous: instead of providing clarification, it raises questions. Even if some boast in the cottages, no one is satisfied: by wanting to control everything, the drafters have published many aspects, including those relating to the serenity and sincerity of the debates. If he still has at heart to “build strong, credible and legitimate institutions guaranteeing a state of law, a transparent and inclusive democratic process”, the President of the Transition must demand a review of this text. If he hopes to set himself apart from his predecessor, the Archbishop of Libreville must do the same. After all, in front of History, they will be the only ones accountable…
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Review
