Gabon's Minister of Communication and Media, Germain Biahodjow, denounced "untruths" from ex-First Lady Sylvia Bongo broadcast on France 24, threatening to suspend the channel's diffusion if insufficiently verified information continues. Bongo accused Gabonese authorities of torture against herself and her son, Nourredin Bongo Valentin, during their detention.
Key points
- Bongo and her son, who currently reside in London, were previously convicted in absentia to 20 years in prison in November 2025 on charges including embezzlement and corruption.
- The government views Bongo's claims, aired on March 6, as part of a disinformation campaign amplified by Western media.
- Former presidential candidate Joseph Lapensée Essingone separately proposed a fiscal reform to boost public revenue, focusing on natural resource taxation.
- Essingone's proposal comes as Gabon faces budgetary tensions, highlighted by Fitch Ratings maintaining its sovereign rating at CCC.
Why it matters
The Gabonese government's strong reaction to international media coverage involving the family of the deposed president signals ongoing political sensitivity and a potential tightening of media freedom during the transition period.
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