In Gabon, during his swearing-in, General Oligui Nguema called for the return of exiles, telling them to return to the country without fear. Many are interested but they don’t want to rush.
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Alfred Mabika, former minister and banker, is among the exiles who would like to return. He was accused of having embezzled 100 billion FCFA when he was CEO of La Poste. “ Political accusations “, he always declared. A political refugee in France, he heard the call of General Oligui Nguema.
“ The dream of every exile is the return to his native country. Last June, my mother was depressed. I had to travel 2,000 km, in the middle of the Congo to go see my mother who came. I was 1 km from the border. See what exile is. Is it tomorrow? Within a week ? In two weeks ? I don’t know but in principle, I will come to Gabon. I am very happy to think that I will have to return to my country, after almost eight years of absence “, he stressed.
He played in France, Italy or Great Britain, the former football international, Guy Roger Nzamba, fled Gabon at the end of 2016, after a raid by the police on his home, following a declaration by support for opponent Jean Ping. The ex-Panthères player suffers from his distance but remains cautious about returning to the country.
“ Personally, I miss the country a lot. I want to go home. Considering the best speeches, it makes me want to go back but to be prudent, I prefer to wait a little longer. We are waiting to see how long the transition lasts. Meanwhile, what’s going on? Is he leaving power? Is he running for office? These are still questions we would like to have answers to. », he asks.
General Oligui Nguema also committed to amnesty the “ prisoners of conscience “. Several detainees were subsequently released, which could reassure those who are still hesitant to return.
In Libreville, the transition continues its course. We are now awaiting the appointment of members of the transitional Parliament. The drafting of a new Constitution and a major debate around a national conference are planned. In the meantime, a new government is in place. Among the ministers, personalities who belonged to the diaspora, sometimes exiled like Laurence Ndong, government spokesperson, or Mays Mouissi who took the Economy portfolio.
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