Gabon: The SDG is reborn after the failure of its merger-absorption by the CEO

The National Secretary, in charge of communication and spokesperson for the Gabonese Social Democratic Party (SDG), Thierry Makando, during his press conference on February 19 in Libreville © D.R

The National Secretary, in charge of communication and spokesperson for the Gabonese Social Democratic Party (SDG), Thierry Makando, announced in a press conference, the renaissance of the party after the failure of its merger-absorption by the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG, in power at the time) initiated on November 20, 2021, at the end of an extraordinary national convention, but which, according to the SDG, was never endorsed by the PDG through a congress, as required by law. However, this merger was, unexpectedly, formalized, contrary to the law, by decree n°0001, issued by the Ministry of the Interior on June 2, 2022.

Not only was the SDG not notified by the Ministry of the Interior of this blatant violation, but the party, whose founding president is Juste Louanga Bouyomeka, claims to have been informed with astonishment of this information on social media. Hence the annulment appeal of decree n°00019/MI, introduced by the SDG on September 13, 2023.

“After analyzing the grievances mentioned above that have marred this procedure without any hesitation, the Ministry of the Interior has read the law and has officially issued a receipt dated December 5, 2023, granting the Social Democrats Gabonese a certificate of rehabilitation of the SDG,” Mr. Makando joyfully announced, subsequently announcing to the party’s members and supporters the imminent resumption of party activities.

Established in February 2018, the Gabonese Social Democratic Party works for “respect for the freedoms, rights, and duties of the citizen entrenched in deep social values such as love for the country.”

Very close to Brice Laccruche Alihanga, the all-powerful Chief of Staff of President Ali Bongo at the time, the SDG had, after the combined legislative and local elections of October 2018, positioned itself as the second political force after the PDG by engaging 8 national elected officials and 42 local elected officials, including seven mayors and three Presidents of Departmental Councils distributed across five of the nine provinces of Gabon.

Camille Boussoughou