Africa mistook Democracy for Monarchy

Condemning the military coup in Gabon without first condemning the civilian coup that saw Ali Bongo retain power, is hypocritical.


Africa should be “play with peoples lives & see the consequences.” Days of stealing elections should be over!! General Oligui Nguema is the leader of the coup in Gabon. He is not only the head of the Presidential Guard, he is related to the Omar Bongo Family as well. He is alleged to have ties with Latin America drug cartel.

Are the Gabonese truly free? Pray tell? “An avenue to being free from dictatorship & France. The Ali Bongo Family is working for the interest of France. It feels like a shadow have been lifted, it feels like we can hope!” These were the words of the guys that seized power in Gabon, their own French Revolution.

The French staged their own Revolution in 1789. They had their last monarchs (Louis XVI & Marie-Antoinette) executed. So France understand, they should have no objection in Gabon. Monarchy disguised as civilian rule should have no place in Francophone Africa. Ali Bongo Family believe in ‘Françafrique,’ a school of thought that promotes the dominance & pillage of former French Colonies in Africa by the French. Derived from ‘France-Afrique,’ Françafrique is a slur used to describe the corruption & hidden activities of French puppets in Africa.

Consequently,   other words - ‘French Neocolonialism.’ Ali Bongo is a strict adherent of this philosophy. So France had to intervene in 2019, when the military attempted to seize power in Gabon. Back in 2018, Ali had a stroke. Since then, he was less & less in control of the government, the institutions of state, & the country altogether. Therefore, there was all the ingredients for a takeover. But France foiled that attempted coup. 2023 is different, France is not likely to intervene, because Bongo has (no legitimacy or right to rule) this time. It’ll be funny on France’s part to try to intervene. That fraudulent election in Gabon was not a smokescreen. The coup shouldn’t be a surprise to no one. Any keen observer in Africa would have predicated the outcome:

1. Gabonese are tired of the Bongos.
 2. The Bongos ruled Gabon for 56 years.
 3. That election was extremely fraudulent.
 4. Internet was switched off & Opposition squeezed.

That election was anything but. Bongo himself is completely aloof. He is yet to realize his predicament. The Gabonese themselves must be commended for their extreme patience & tolerance. Nigerians won’t have allowed one family to rule the entire country for a whopping 56 years. Every ruler draws their power from the people. Your authority is what the people say it is! Therefore there was little or no legitimacy in Gabon. It made it so much easier for the military who had prepared in advance. They had their speech prepared. The coupists must now either:

1. Reposition Gabon & re-orient Gabonese away from France & western influences.

2. Or seek new allies altogether