Below you will find the entire speech of the president of the movement during the first anniversary of the “liberation coup”.
Gabonese, Gabonese, my dear compatriots,
Today, it is exactly one year since the Defense and Security Forces, which are united within the Committee for Transition and Renewal of Institutions – CTRI, made the courageous decision to end the old regime, after a general election that would undoubtedly have its cut results. has led, as in 2016, to protests, material damage and loss of human life. This act was spontaneously baptized: Coup de la Liberation. This name not only reflects the political freedom of our country. It also translates to freedom of expression, freedom to undertake and above all the freedom to dream of a new, rich and enviable Gabon. It is this hope that the CTRI has set itself as a goal to achieve.
Dear comrades, As we celebrate this first anniversary of the liberation of our country, it is not time for me to take stock. I prefer to let the people judge the progress made and form their own opinion based on what has been achieved so far with determination and patriotism. However, you will remember that after the Liberation Coup, we consulted the active forces of the Nation. From this exchange was born the idea of an Inclusive National Dialogue. I am delighted with the success of these meetings, and their recommendations will be submitted to the referendum that will be held in the coming days according to the Transition timetable. Then, we started the Republican Tour to explain to the numbers in the countryside the reasons for the Liberation Coup. We had to repent of the fragility of our people. Infrastructure has disappeared and is almost non-existent in some regions. The unemployment rate is very high, too many illnesses are bothering the Gabonese people.
By testing with the facts, we have decided to start building the country, revive economic activity and promote wealth creation by putting in place support and aid tools. In order to meet the most urgent needs of the population, an envelope of 63 billion was given to the 9 regions to empower themselves and relaunch their activities. This is also the place to specify that the Transition inherited a heavy debt. I promised, during my inaugural speech on September 4, 2023, to honor my country’s international commitments to pay off this deplorable debt. But the repayment of the debt cannot be a violation of our intentions, or be adversely affected by the legitimate development intentions of the Gabonese people. In this difficult period of transition, the Gabonese Republic invites donors to support its efforts towards development.
Dear comrades, Understanding the size of our debt, it goes without saying that the development of our country will necessarily include the development of our resources. Gabonese people, let’s go to work! So that all our natural resources that have not been used until now are developed, so that the extraordinary potential of our EL DORADO contributes to the creation of wealth and that the daily life of the Gabonese receives a rapid and lasting transformation. This is also an opportunity for me to tell you that by buying Assala Energy against all odds, I was fully aware of the abundant oil potential in our subsoil. In this regard, following the discovery of the Mutamba Iroru license (between Gamba and Atora), I announce that 2 new licenses will be explored, namely Ozigo II and Nziembou II, and the practice of ‘ soon by the GOC. Dear comrades, Since we came to the leadership of the State, the CTRI has always worked for a fairer and more just society by abolishing benefits and bringing the Gabonese back to regions where they were very marginalized. Gradually, we will allow the urban and suburban transport sector to be controlled by nationals. Because, out of nearly 10,000 taxis in circulation throughout the country, less than 10% are driven by nationals. I am committed to seeing this statistical change in the next 5 years. Long lost from a national airline, we decided to create Fly Gabon, whose activities I had the honor of officially launching. This is in line with our desire to control the national air transport sector. This company allows us to rediscover the greatness of our country on the international stage. Gabonese people, Our country suffers from a lack of road infrastructure.
By the end of 2030, we need to build 2,591 km of roads across the entire country. This route relates to priority sections that will improve, in the next 6 years, the movement and access of goods and people, while at the same time opening up remote areas. This will also promote agricultural development, thus reducing our dependence on food, and will promote tourism, a key sector of our economic diversification policy. Hospital infrastructures are not left out, 5 special centers of excellence are being built, in particular: – A special cardio-neurovascular center in Andem in the Basin; – A special multidisciplinary and educational center for children with disabilities in Port-Gentil, in Ogooue-Maritime; – The Ndjolé Military Hospital in Middle Ogooué, a specialized center in traumatology, should be completed very soon; – For Franceville, a specialized center for uro-nephrology and kidney transplantation; – and finally in Woleu-Ntem, a multipurpose ophthalmology center. On a completely different level, the need for adequate housing remains a concern for many comrades.
The commitment that came from the provision of 500 pieces of land in Igoumié in Owendo society, as a result of a public-private partnership, is a good example of this. This work will continue by using an additional 40 hectares, for 800 plots of 500 m2 with a land titles service. On this subject, I announce that a major operation to manage land titles for the benefit of all members will be launched in the coming days. Likewise, we plan to build 1,900 2 and 3 bedroom social housing units for civil servants, following the model designed for the military where the monthly housing price will be the mortgage to build to finance housing. In addition to civil servants, other mechanisms are being investigated, which belong to the private sector and sectors known as economically weak. In a few months, the 14 modern buildings that make up the administrative town of Émeraude will be delivered.
This important infrastructural progress will change the appearance of the city, but above all it will help the State to achieve savings of almost 30 billion per year, by allowing the various ministries to occupy the building have their own. In addition, to conclude the action of the State against the high cost of living, I have decided that the import ban of certain products will no longer be the result of the marginalization of economic operators. I want to favor the market of pure competition and allow all Gabonese people to get supplies at prices suitable to their income. To raise our country to this level of economic and social sanity, we must have a strong, fair and independent judicial system. The reforms initiated by the last Supreme Council of the Judiciary should be seen as the initial act of this new judicial administration in the service of the rule of law. Gabonese, My dear compatriots, One year after the Liberation Coup, our State is rebuilding around republican values and main principles. The new Constitution of our country adheres to these principles. It guarantees the Gabonese people respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
Our country is at a turning point in history. We have undertaken major reforms to rebuild a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Gabon. Our work together is not finished, but it is progressing well. We have started the change and we must continue on this path with determination and pragmatism. To remind us regularly, this Independence Day will be established and celebrated on a rotating basis across the different regions. Dear comrades, friends of freedom, I know how you count on your attachment to this country and on your high desire to see it find the place it deserves in the feast of nations .
That God and the manna of our forefathers accompanied our rise towards happiness.
Honor and loyalty to the homeland!
Thank you.
