Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Gabon actu
Published on 2024-03-07 07:33:46
Today, let’s focus on the nationalization or entry into the capital of strategic companies. Always to be enjoyed with the same pleasure!
Funny Gabonese! The star chef and his Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) have launched a vast project aimed, according to them, at giving Gabon its long-confiscated “economic sovereignty” by multinational companies operating in the so-called strategic sectors.
The first big catch of this capital hunt was Assala-Gabon, which saw 75% of its capital bought out. But that’s not all, they have created a holding company that will carry the project of the future airline. They also plan to relaunch the international radio station with a pan-African vocation Africa N°1.
All of this is already cool. Will they stop there because there is still radio silence on some cases. In his time, Alain Bernard alias Ali Bongo had purred about Gabon’s entry into the capital of Eramet, whose local subsidiary COMILOG exploits manganese in Moanda. State continuity obliges, the star chef and his CTRI must pursue this issue. Opening it up is not a crime of lese majesty. And what about all those foreign companies exploiting our mineral deposits without visibility for the common mortal? And telecommunications entirely controlled by foreign capital. Isn’t it time to keep an eye on and regain control of this strategic sector? Can we imagine the United States entrusting the hub of its telecommunications to China or Russia? What kind of genius had the crazy idea of entrusting our telecommunications to a foreign company? Frankly!
One has the impression that the CTRI is using double standards. Because some majors, due to their all-powerful cosmoplanetary status, seem untouchable. We are waiting for the CTRI to regain control of the capital of banks like UGB and BICIG, currently in the hands of foreign interest consortia. And what about the port of Owendo controlled by foreign service providers who have resumed operations following Bolloré!
Gabon must take control of all these strategic sectors because our prosperity depends on it.
RIGOR
If nationalizing companies operating in strategic sectors is the option for boosting the economy and development of the country, so much the better. However, the problem of good governance is another story that should make us reflect so that we do not disillusion quickly. Let’s not nationalize everything, only the majors operating in strategic sectors should be targeted by the CTRI measures, or else we risk resembling North Korea and scaring away foreign investors. Naively, I dare to hope that behind these capital buyouts, there is no project with criminal contours!
Be careful, cautious! Without attributing ominous intentions to the star chef, the führer, before establishing the Nazi regime in Germany, nationalized all the companies established in the country.
We know how it ended…
Timothée Mémey, independent journalist, columnist
NB: This column does not reflect the point of view of the editorial staff of Gabonactu.com
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Actu
