On the occasion of 60 years of independence, Ali Bongo insists on the modernization of Gabon

Gabonese President Ali Bongo (illustrative image) GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

During the traditional speech to the nation, Ali Bongo dwelled on the concerns of Gabonese about the poor condition of roads, health, training and employment.

Publicity

Read more

The traditional parade marking the celebration of the national day has been canceled. Instead, a ceremony of taking up arms will be organized inside the presidential palace. On the other hand, the traditional speech to the nation has been maintained.

Ali Bongo paid tribute to the memory of his predecessors who left the present generations a stable and peaceful country. Not a word on the relationship with France, the former colonial power. On the other hand, he returned to the modernization of the country, drawing up both an assessment of the last ten years and evoking the plans for the future.

"  To develop, Gabon needs modern infrastructure, " said the Gabonese president. We have paved more roads in ten years than since our country's independence. Our road network will be reinforced again with the transgabonaise which will cross our country from east to west over 780 km. This project, which will be completed in 2023, will have a major impact. This road will revolutionize our life and our economy. Over the past ten years, we have built and modernized our hospital infrastructures to improve the offer of care and health.  "

The Gabonese head of state also explained that employment reforms were a priority. “  In the coming months, everything must be done to reduce unemployment and precariousness, in particular by strengthening certain mechanisms. This is the instruction that I transmitted to the Prime Minister and to the government. Through the reforms carried out and underway, we are preparing for the future.  "

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • Gabon
  • Ali Bongo Ondimba

On the same subject

Africa Archives

Omar Bongo, the "financier" of Françafrique (7 & 8)