Gabon: Open letter | Disillusioned Ogivins write to Oligui Nguema |

Mr. President,

In preparation for your upcoming visit to the province of Ogooué-Ivindo, we wish to present to you the challenges and expectations of our people.

The real issue facing our province is to confront the current uncertainties and fully integrate into the nation while reaching its full development potential.

The establishment of the Observatory for the Development of Ogooué-Ivindo (ODG6) stems from the endemic marginalization that our province has suffered. To overcome these challenges, we must concentrate our efforts on strengthening infrastructure and involving citizens in the development process.

Ogooué-Ivindo has considerable assets, including its vast area, mineral resources, agricultural potential, and qualified human capital. However, these riches do not benefit our people sufficiently due to discriminatory policies and unfair exploitation.

For decades, our province has been neglected, leading to a sense of exclusion and underdevelopment. Despite some progress, the situation remains concerning, with deteriorating infrastructure, a stagnant economy, and a significant lack of political representation.

We welcome your transformation agenda for all of Gabon with hope. However, we also note a lack of specific commitment to Ogooué-Ivindo in your actions so far.

We urge you to seize the opportunity to restore the dignity of our province by placing its development at the center of your political agenda. We propose a Transition Confidence Pact to restore equity and inclusion for Ogooué-Ivindo.

Our priority proposals include:

• Restoration of essential road infrastructure, including the Koumameyong-Ovan, Ovan-Makokou, Makokou-Mékambo, Makokou-Okondja, and Koumameyong-Booué routes.
• Development of the Booué-Bélinga railway for future iron ore exploitation.
• Establishment of social responsibility mechanisms for extractive industries to ensure direct benefits for local populations.
• Reappropriation of mineral resources by the residents of Ogooué-Ivindo
• Creation of a support fund for the establishment of a regional bank.
• Immediate creation of a provincial council to promote and evaluate solutions tailored to the needs of our region.
• Prioritization of local subcontracting in the mining sector
• Revision and/or renewal of the local political class for more balanced representation.

Mr. President, we invite you to mark your visit to Ogivine land by implementing this Transition Confidence Pact. Your pragmatic commitment and renewed vision will be essential to addressing the challenges we face. By doing so, you will contribute not only to the development of Ogooué-Ivindo but also to the advancement of all of Gabon.

We are at your disposal to discuss these proposals further and work together to achieve this ambitious project.

The natives of the Province of Ogooué-Ivindo gathered within the ODG6

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