The “ill-gotten gains” held in France by the deposed president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, and his family continue to arouse interest and debate. Following the fall of Ali Bongo, the question of the future of these luxury properties in Paris resurfaces. 28 high-end properties are currently subject to seizure by French justice.
Faced with this situation, the communist elected officials on the Paris municipal council proposed a bold idea: transform these properties into social housing. In a city where demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply, this proposal could meet a real need.
However, this proposal provoked reactions from both the Gabonese authorities and the French. The Gabonese authorities legitimately wonder why assets supposedly ill-gotten to the detriment of the Gabonese people would become the property of the city of Paris, without even having been consulted. For their part, the French authorities point out that there is a mechanism for the restitution of ill-gotten gains which provides for cooperation between States to decide on the allocation of the money recovered by the courts.
It is crucial to emphasize that this affair illustrates a broader issue: the fight against corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Illegally acquired property must be seized and returned to those to whom it rightfully belongs, namely the populations of the countries concerned. Transparency International thus recalls that property that could be confiscated should be returned to the Gabonese, in order to contribute to development and cooperation in the country.
The issue of “ill-gotten gains” regularly comes to the forefront of the international media scene. It highlights the importance of transparency and good governance in the management of public resources. It is essential that countries cooperate to put an end to the impunity of corrupt leaders and recover embezzled funds to reinvest them in projects beneficial to the populations. The proposal to transform ill-gotten property into social housing in Paris demonstrates the desire to give a second life to these properties and to put them at the service of the general interest. However, it is essential that all stakeholders collaborate constructively to find a fair and transparent solution.