Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Alix-Ida Mussavu
Published on 2024-04-12 11:23:04
The Coalition for the New Republic (CNR) clearly did not appreciate the fact that the President of the Transition, at the opening of the Dialogue, accused politicians of being responsible for the chaos in the country. Supporters of Jean Ping, who describe this approach by Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema as a way to escape the voices demanding truth, justice, reparation, and reconciliation, accuse the defense and security forces loyal to the deposed regime of being responsible for the crimes recorded in Gabon in recent years.
It is well known in Gabon that the Coalition for the New Republic (CNR) led by Jean Ping has chosen to support the Committee for the Transition and the Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) through a declaration on April 11. This political formation stated that it remains lucid and vigilant in order for this transition to be beneficial to all Gabonese people, without exclusion or marginalization, in a democratic and friendly environment supported by a true rule of law. The CNR expressed being “stunned” by the remarks made by the President of the Transition at the opening of the Inclusive National Dialogue (IND).
“He cannot be a politician or a political party leader in the sense of partisan struggles for the conservation or conquest of power,” said Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema referring to the IND. This declaration was perceived by the CNR as an accusation. According to Jean Ping’s party, the President-General essentially “declared that political parties, politicians, and party leaders are responsible for the chaotic situation in Gabon.” For the CNR, “this way of lumping all political parties together poorly hides the firm intention to protect all the criminals within the Bongo/PDG regime who have destroyed Gabon and undermined the coexistence of Gabonese populations.”
“The weapons loyal to the Bongo/PDG regime are the only culprits”
The CNR suspects the General and his troops of wanting to perpetuate the impunity of a certain elite “to the point that any initiative or desire to demand truth, justice, reparations, and reconciliation is perceived by the current regime as a witch hunt or thirst for revenge.” “What a disgrace!” exclaimed the spokesperson of the CNR. The CNR therefore advocates for a truth and justice commission, noting that the electoral and constitutional manipulations, economic and ritual crimes, and the killings of 2009 and 2016 that have led to the country’s generalized crisis are attributed to “those who wanted to retain power at all costs for their selfish interests.”
The CNR emphasizes in its approach that the opposition has never governed Gabon and invites the head of the CTRI to have the courage to clearly identify those responsible for the acts of 2009 and 2016. “The victims of 2009 and 2016 did not fall under the bullets of political parties or civil war, but rather under the bullets of certain elements of the defense and security forces and militias aligned with the Bongo/PDG regime,” the spokesperson stated. “Moreover, the institutions at the regime’s command and the weapons loyal to the Bongo/PDG regime are the only culprits and accountable for the country’s catastrophic situation,” concludes Jean Ping’s formation.
Read the original article(French) on Gabon Review
