L’ancien Deputy David Labaye during his press conference on November 14 in Libreville © Gabonactu.com
The former Deputy of 2th headquarters of the department of Tsamba Magotsi in the province of Ngounié (south of the country), David Labaye, in a press conference held Thursday November 14, 2024 in Libreville, asked the Transitional government to organize the States General of the Gabonese Economy to, he says, put an end to the endemic corruption which is hampering Gabon‘s development.
“We believe that to avoid making certain information public, that is to say accessible to all, those responsible for the economic department call on external expertise in return for the payment of dividends which borders on corruption, to hide the reality facts; there is no better way to make the mismanagement of our economy opaque”insistently castigated Mr. Labaye, subsequently calling on the government to organize the States General.
In this spirit, the honorable of the 13e legislature of the national assembly dissolved by soldiers gathered within the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) during the coup d’état of August 30, 2023, highlighted, as sufficient proof of this endemic corruption, embezzlement of public funds and financial embezzlement, the execution at least each year of the Finance Law.
“A particular emphasis on the rest of the budgets relating to the finance law, the execution of which oscillates between 30% and 35%, deserves careful analysis. This windfall, which represents more than half of our budget, has a destination that even those responsible for the economic department have difficulty explaining. he was indignant.
A media outing by the former parliamentarian which follows the warning of the President of the Transition, General, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, to the officials of the Ministry of the Budget, in particular those of the Treasury, who would not entirely voluntarily liquidate the various budgets made available to the Ministries.
“We are heading towards the end of the year, many administrations have not received their budgets, including the military here present. Because you sit on it, because we want to make budgets at the end of the year, I say be careful with this business of budget queues”, castigated the Gabonese number one addressing officials of the Ministry of the Budget on November 13, 2024.
Camille Boussoughou
2024-11-14 18:10:00
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What are the key issues David Labaye highlights concerning corruption in the Gabonese economy?
**Interview with David Labaye: Former Deputy Calls for States General of the Gabonese Economy**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Mr. Labaye, and thank you for joining us today. You recently held a press conference where you urged the Transitional government to organize the States General of the Gabonese Economy. Can you elaborate on the main reasons behind this request?
**David Labaye:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. My primary concern is the rampant corruption that has been suffocating Gabon’s potential for growth and development. The current economic management is shrouded in opacity, largely due to a lack of transparency in governmental operations. By calling for the States General, I aim to bring together various stakeholders to address these corruption issues head-on and to ensure accountability within our economic framework.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that external expertise is being called upon at a high cost, which you believe hides the reality of our financial situation. Can you explain how you believe this contributes to the endemic corruption you’ve referred to?
**David Labaye:** Certainly. When the economic department relies on external expertise, it often does so for exorbitant fees that only serve to enrich a select few individuals. This practice creates barriers to accessing vital information that should be public, thereby facilitating continued mismanagement and embezzlement of funds. Instead of receiving clear data and accountability, we are left in the dark. This culture of secrecy is damaging and reinforces corruption rather than mitigating it.
**Interviewer:** You cited the yearly execution of the Finance Law as proof of mismanagement. Can you elaborate on that point?
**David Labaye:** The execution of the Finance Law is meant to be a transparent process that allows for oversight of public funds. However, year after year, we see gross discrepancies and failures that indicate financial embezzlement at various levels. This raises serious concerns about how our government is allocating resources—and ultimately, it undermines public trust. We need a platform where public officials can be held accountable for their actions.
**Interviewer:** As a former deputy within the national assembly, what role do you believe the reinstatement of democratic processes would play in combating corruption?
**David Labaye:** Restoring democracy is essential for transparency and accountability. A properly constituted national assembly can ensure that citizens’ voices are heard and that public funds are managed correctly. It is crucial for civil society to have a say in governance and for mechanisms to be established that allow for oversight and input from the public regarding economic policies.
**Interviewer:** what message do you have for the Gabonese people as they navigate these challenging times?
**David Labaye:** My message is one of hope and action. Gabon has immense potential, but we must rally together to demand transparency, accountability, and good governance from our leadership. The States General of the Gabonese Economy is an opportunity for us to unite our voices and make sure our future is not squandered by corruption. We all have a role to play in shaping a better future for our country.
