Gabon

Please provide us with your views on the state of peace in the country you will represent at the One Young World Summit

Gabon’s latest presidential election was held in August 2016. Since then, the country has fallen into a deep political, social and economical crisis. The Gabonese society is being divided into two main blocs, one supporting Ali Bongo (proclaimed elected by the constitutional court) and the other supporting Jean Ping (principal opponent of Ali Bongo and who seems to benefit from a larger popular support). The incapacity of the government to engage significant and immediate democratic reforms – in addition to the urgency of renewing the national political class – is deepening the crisis. Violence is gaining ground (verbal violence, physical violence, ‘‘ideological’’ violence) and having different political views is now a factor of hate and resentment in Gabon. The Gabonese Diaspora in France and the US, benefiting from the rights and freedoms guaranteed in these countries, has recently brutalized Gabonese officials to protest against the actual regime. This only triggers a need for vengeance on the other side of our balkanized society. Thus could be summarized the state of peace in my country.

How do you think your work and/or activism contribute to a sustainable peace?

During the past 5 years, I have participated in civic organizations and struggles in Gabon, organizing campaigns for the rights of students, debating on national television to promote the rights of youth and working with youths from the opposition and the presidential party to identify common interests and possible common actions. But when it comes to youth, I feel that civic action, if absolutely necessary, can’t reach a satisfying level of efficiency in a country where the legislation and the culture is in some sorts in disfavor of change and where the government can easily ignore legitimate claims without fearing from ‘‘popular sanctions’’. Thus, I believe in the necessity of an organized political force of the youth. I wrote a book on the necessary changes to engage in my country for peace, entitled ‘’Plaidoyer pour une révolution sociale au Gabon’’, published in France on March the 3rd 2017. Recently, I launched an organization that will focus on the political interests of our youth, which are significant factors to take into account when working in favor of peace. We are planning to present young candidates in the upcoming elections, that will defend our ideas in the political realm.