Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gabon actu
Published on 2024-03-02 22:23:19
On March 12, 2024, the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) celebrates its 56th anniversary. This will be the first commemoration of its kind without this election-winning machine founded by Omar Bongo on March 12, 1968 being in power, far from the state apparatus and all the benefits it used to enjoy.
Undermined by cascading desertions and the drying up of all the sources of milk and honey, is the PDG currently a living dead or a party of the future?
The commander of the “adrift” ship, the current Deputy Secretary General 1 of the party, Luc Oyoubi, would be the first to believe that the PDG is not to be discarded. He has resolved to rally the troops on March 12, within the framework of a grand gathering that will mark both the 56th anniversary and the resumption of activities of the former party in power, which has been in a deep coma since the coup d’état on August 30, 2023, thus signaling the end of a seemingly endless reign.
Dazed, hierarchs, militants, and sympathizers of the PDG had quickly deserted the headquarters in the Louis district, which now displays a landscape of emptiness from where cries of distress from a staff living in precariousness due to unpaid salaries have been filtering for some time.
On the subject of the organization of what is called “criticism and restructuring sessions of the PDG…” signed by Luc Oyoubi, it can be read that said sessions will consist of “identifying past mistakes that led to the change of regime and proposing solutions for the future.”
While the initiative and approach of the Deputy Secretary General 1 may seem commendable at first glance, some question the current abilities of the former ruling party to rally support, as it is cut off from its main sources of funding.
Beyond the intention, one can also question the willingness and capacity of the “PDGists” to engage in a sincere exercise of self-criticism and questioning.
Will Luc Oyoubi truly be heard? One may doubt it given the rapid pace of resignations recorded at Louis, where many militants, including important ones, are leaving the ship, just as many former allies are leaving in search of greener pastures.
The public is eagerly awaiting the outcome of discussions regarding the question of the PDG presidency, which is high on the agenda of the future sessions. Sick and incapacitated, Ali Bongo Ondimba, as we know, is no longer able to steer the ship.
The former ruling party will certainly have to seek and find a Leader capable of rallying and reorganizing the troops, in preparation for the upcoming elections in 2025.
This rare bird must be found before tackling the essential task of winning back the hearts of the Gabonese people, traumatized and exasperated by half a century of chaotic governance by the former “state-party.”
The posture of this party on March 12, 2024 will determine the future of the party. Either the ship will continue to take on water and sink further, or it will be set afloat for future battles.
Féeodora Madiba
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Actu
