Stories about Gabon
Gabon: Leaderless Opposition?
Gabon is entering its third week of political tension, as its two presidents - official and unofficial - both claim leadership. But as developments continue in this small West African nation, critics denounce a lack of leadership in the burgeoning opposition movement.
Gabon: The danger of ignoring Gabon's revolution
Ethan Zuckerman warns of the danger of ignoring Gabon's revolution: “The danger of ignoring Gabon’s revolution isn’t just that opposition forces will be arrested or worse. It’s that we fail to understand the profound shifts underway across the world that change the nature of popular revolution. The wave of protests...
Gabon: Students Protest, Army Deployed
Gabon's political crisis reached new heights on February 10, as students protested at Omar Bongo University in the capital city, Libreville. Whereas riots last week involved mainly the opposition, the confrontation appears to be developing into a wider social conflict.
Gabon: Protests Stifled as Official and ‘Unofficial’ Governments Face Off
Following protests last week, tensions remain high in the West African nation of Gabon, as further demonstrations are now stifled by the authorities before they can take place. The country's official government has been accused of election fraud by an 'unofficial' opposition government.
Gabon: The Invisible Revolt
Protests in Gabon have failed to make a dent in the international news cycle as all eyes are still turned towards the Egyptian crisis. However, what was considered negligible protests before by Ali Bongo and his partisans seems to have created enough political turmoil to provoke the censorship of a television channel and repression of public protests.
Gabon: Opposition Leader Takes Oath as New President
The double presidential power struggle in Côte d'Ivoire seems to have inspired Gabon's political opposition as well. This afternoon on January 26, 2011, former Gabonese presidential election candidate André Mba Obame - regarded by many as the probable winner of the 2009 election - has taken oath as President and formed his own 'unofficial' government.
Gabon-France: Wikileaks reveals The Financing of French Political Parties by Omar Bongo
On December 30, 2010 Antoine Ganne writes in an article on afrik.com citing Wikileaks : ” nearly 30 millions euros were diverted from the Bank of the Central African States (BEAC) by former Gabonese president Omar Bongo, some of which were sent to French political parties, specifically Jacques Chirac's but...
Africa: West Africa's First Commercial Data Center Launching in 2011
A company simply identifying itself as West Africa Data Centres is taken the bold step to launch the first commercial large-scale data centre, in West Africa, David Ajao reports.
Africa: The Scandal of the “Ill-gotten Gains”
In the scandal of the wealth accumulated by some African politicians, the French Supreme Court of Appeals reversed the verdict pronounced by Paris Court of Appeals a year ago. The court of appeal deemed that the claim of embezzlement filed by Transparency International against the leaders of RDC, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and their entourage was valid. Bloggers discuss the implications of this wealth accumulated by African leaders in contrast with the poverty of the rest of the population.
Gabon, France: Gabon-raised Frenchman to Run for Elections
Will Mael Nyamat explains [Fr] what a black candidate who was raised in Gabon like himself can bring in terms of perspective to the political discourse during the French primary elections. Nyamat also argues in his book that the historically close tie between Gabon and France [Fr] makes him as sensible...
Gabon: Gabon's press blossoms
Elisabeth Moumba discusses the blossoming of Gabon's press: “Until 1990, Gabon had only two public television channels and two radio stations–RTG 1 and RTG 2, along with Radio Gabon and Radio II–with one private pro-government daily, L'Union, and one pan-African radio station, Africa N1.”
African Soldiers on the Champs Elysees on Bastille Day
France's invitation to the armed forces of former colonies to join the parade on the Champs Elysees on July 14 is a subject of great controversy among African bloggers. Many wonder what is the point of having former colonies there and why are many north African nations not invited.
France : Poetry Slam World Cup
Bobigny, in the Paris suburbs, is hosting a different kind of world cup, namely the 4th Poetry Slam World Cup (the quarter finals), on June 12th and 13th. Bondy Blog interviews [Fr] two finalists: Le Wise, from Gabon, and Philipp Sharri, from Germany.
50 Years Later, Independence and the Resource Curse in Francophone Africa
Francophone Africa is celebrating 50 years of independence in 2010. Many Africans voices are wondering out loud what is there to celebrate, given the mediocre level of human development achieved since independence.
Gabon: African actor in Chinese martial art movies
Do you know Luc Bendza? He is probably the only African to take part in Chinese martial art movies.
Africa: 2010 Africa Cup of Nations Starts: What Do We Expect?
This year Africa’s in the sports arena for all the right reasons. First to shine the spotlight is definitely the Confederation of Africa's (CAF) African Cup of Nations being held in Angola which is just a stone’s throw away from South Africa, which hosts the World Cup in June later on this year.
Gabon’s bloggers struggle to take hold
Adriankoto Harinjaka Ratozamanana, a Global Voices in Malagasy translator, went to Gabon to help report the presidential election on Twitter, Facebook, and blogs in a country where journalists are at risk. Here is his story.
Gabon: Opposition Continues to Fight Election Result
Gabon's political opposition present a united front against the August election results, which handed the son of former dictator Omar Bongo the presidency. Politicians and citizens alike speak out against France's meddling in the country's politics.
Françafrique casts shadow in Gabon, Madagascar, and Mauritania
Recent violence in Gabon and Madagascar, and a contested election in Mauritania, have added fuel to the idea that France 's influence looms large in the political arenas of her former African colonies, where it still has wide-ranging political and economic interests.
Gabon: Presidential Candidate Uses Social Media in Historic Election
As Gabon prepares for its first election since the death of Omar Bongo, one candidate, whose rivals who include the current prime minister, Jean Eyeghe Ndong, and Bongo's own son, is using social media to level the playing field.
Gabon: Gabon Election 2009 on Twitter
Gabon Election 2009 in English and French on Twitter. The page is maintained by a citizen journalist from Gabon: Young Gabonese, Citi. Journalist, DigitActivist,waiting 4 free elections, peace and prosperity in his homeland. Hoping that you'll help us to fight for this!!!
