The set of public television Gabon 1ère was the scene of an explosive exchange this Sunday evening, during a special program devoted to the referendum campaign around the draft Constitution. This debate, led by journalists and bringing together political and civil society figures, quickly turned into a direct confrontation between Yes and No supporters. witness to these tensions, the broadcast was interrupted several times due to the explosive atmosphere on the set.
The broadcast, initiated by the High Authority for Communication (HAC) and its commission for equal access to the media during the electoral period, took a tense turn when Joanna Boussamba, responsible for communications for the national coordination, attempted to distribute live copies of the constitutional draft to guests. She got up from her seat to hand-deliver the 43-page document to guests Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou, Marlène Fabienne Essola and Marcel Libama.
An excerpt from the show
An initiative of defiance which provoked an immediate reaction from the no camp, accused of not having read the draft Constitution before opposing it. Essola, very on edge and visibly annoyed, reacted strongly: “ But what is this folklore? » The climate, already tense, then became heavier, with each camp expressing its exasperation at the actions and comments of the other. Marcel Libama, member of the transitional Parliament and No supporter, reacted with indignation to this initiative. Slamming the document to the ground, he said: “I am an MP, I am the one working on this project”. This gesture amplified the exasperation on the set, highlighting the tension between the speakers and the tensions underlying the public debate around the referendum.
Yes supporters
One of the journalists present tried to calm things down by mentioning the rules of decorum and asking Boussamba to apologize for causing this tension. She then declared: “ I apologize to the entire nation. I thought it was good to present to our adversaries the document of the constitution “. This statement was nevertheless perceived by some as an additional provocation, worsening the discord. Marlène Essola, one of the guests, replied irritably: “ It’s insulting what you did! », denouncing a gesture that she considered inappropriate.
During the broadcast, Geoffrey Foumboula, 4th vice-president of the Transitional National Assembly and defender of Yes, expressed his exasperation at the constant interruptions, recalling: “ A minimum of respect is required. We are not on a TikTok live, but on a television channel whose role is to inform”. His remark sparked a response from Essola, who denounced the comment as a new offense, exacerbating the divide between the two camps.
The supporters of no
This program will be remembered as an example of the challenges associated with public debates on sensitive subjects. The outrage, accusations of indecency, and lack of restraint from the speakers quickly transformed this discussion into a verbal confrontation. In the heart of the referendum campaign, this heated exchange reflects the deep divisions within Gabonese society in the face of this constitutional project, highlighting the difficulties of organizing a peaceful dialogue around this important reform.
Newsletter from Info241.com
Sign up now to receive our daily newsletter
Info241.com undertakes not to send you unsolicited messages. If you change your mind, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter at any time.
Belgium
