Comments collected by Hans NDONG MEBALE
The Union: Since the liberation coup of August 30, 2023, you have no longer spoken out in public. Why this long silence?
Pascal Houangni Ambouroue : First of all, I would like to thank the national daily Union for offering me a communication platform after a year of silence. Before answering your question, it is important to return to the political context in which these elections took place.
Within the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), the party in which I was active, certain hierarchical officials in Ogooué Maritime showed themselves in an abject manner towards the activists, often lacking humility, even establishing a deleterious climate in in which some appeared as the dominant ones and the others, the dominated ones.
From this perspective, beyond the enthusiasm observed, the event of August 30, 2023, among other things, made it possible to stop the deviant trajectory that the CEO was taking. This is the reason why I took a step back from my political commitment, even if, on a personal level, I believe I have made my contribution to the building of our country Gabon.
The Gabonese people are called to vote on November 16 on the new constitution. What is your position on the issue?
I would first like to recall that, notwithstanding the first visit of the President of the Transition, President of the Republic, Head of State, His Excellency Brigadier General, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma on December 8, 2023 in Port-Gentil where I had an active part in the organization of his stay, I was never again invited or associated with any event whatsoever linked to the future of Ogooué-Maritime.
To this end, it is as a simple citizen that I analyzed the 173 articles of the said project which will be submitted to the people for validation by referendum on November 16. Also, before giving my opinion on the draft constitution, I would like to congratulate the volatility and diversity of expressions for the yes or no of the Gabonese populations. This clearly shows that this project offers an opportunity for the Gabonese to rewrite the history of our dear nation, rich in potential and opportunities.
Regarding the content of the text itself, we note significant progress in certain areas, notably on fundamental rights and freedoms (in its articles 12, 16 and 17…), in the defense of the homeland (article 27…), on the limitation to two (2) mandates for the President of the Republic (article 42…) and article 43 which, on eligibility for the Presidency of the Republic (in particular being born Gabonese of at least one Gabonese parent, himself born Gabonese), has sparked numerous debates and controversies.
So you are going to campaign for YES?
In view of my analysis and on a completely personal basis, I encourage our fellow citizens to vote yes for this new constitution. I am going to send strong messages to the municipal director for the yes campaign and to the young people of the 1st arrondissements who asked me to guide them on the relevance and advantages of the new constitution.
