Meeting with Guy Nzouba Ndama: The truths of a former opponent about the fallen regime in Gabon
In an exclusive interview, Guy Nzouba Ndama, former president of the National Assembly of Gabon and former executive of the ruling party, expressed his truths about the fallen regime of Ali Bongo Ondimba. This is the first time he has spoken since his house arrest in 2022, a situation that ended with the coup that toppled the president in August 2023.
Guy Nzouba Ndama, who joined the opposition in 2016, was arrested in September 2022 at the border with Congo-Brazzaville in possession of four suitcases filled with money. He was sentenced on appeal to a three-month suspended prison sentence and a fine of 200 million CFA francs, as well as confiscation of the money.
Since the start of the transition, chaired by General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Guy Nzouba Ndama has been released from his house arrest. In an interview given at his home in Libreville, he expressed his satisfaction at finally being able to speak publicly after a year of forced silence.
According to him, the coup was not surprising, because “we all knew that it was no longer Ali Bongo who presided over the destiny of Gabon.” He claims that the president was almost under curatorship, controlled by his wife and his son, as well as by a circle of relatives whom he describes as “college students from the seaside”. These people, according to him, pushed the Gabonese and the security forces to the limit, thus causing the fall of the regime.
As for the case which led to his arrest, Guy Nzouba Ndama maintains that the money was the result of the sale of a property located in Congo-Brazzaville. He admits an error of judgment in choosing to transport a large sum of cash on the road, but says the matter was politicized in an attempt to harm him. He is now awaiting the response to his appeal before the Court of Cassation and hopes to be able to recover his money.
Despite everything, Guy Nzouba Ndama says he is ready to support General Oligui Nguema in the transition without asking for a position. As party president, he stands ready to provide support and advice.
This meeting with Guy Nzouba Ndama allows us to better understand the underbelly of the fallen regime in Gabon and to get an idea of the truths and perspectives of a former opponent who became an actor in the transition. A rare opportunity to hear a different voice on the events that have shaken the country in recent years.