Gabon: the opposition supports Guy Nzouba-Ndama, accused of money laundering
Guy Nzouba-Ndama, during a meeting in Libreville in August 2016 (Illustrative image).
© SAMIR TOUNSI/AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
In Gabon, opponent Guy Nzouba Ndama was provisionally released on Tuesday evening, but the president of the Les Démocrates party is accused of criminal association, money laundering, intelligence with a foreign power and attempted corruption.
He had been arrested after his return from Congo-Brazzaville with more than a billion CFA francs in his suitcases.
The case agitates the political sphere and the opposition has stepped up to the plate.
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Several major opposition parties lined up behind
Guy Nzouba-Ndama
.
The National Union denounces a violation of its fundamental rights and speaks of an "
instrumentalization of justice
" against an "
electoral competitor
".
The RPM observes an “
autocratic drift of power
” and an “
interpellation-show
” which contrasts with the “
huge funds illegally expatriated
” by the regime’s cronies.
But the most virulent charge came from the party of Guy Nzouba-Ndama himself.
Democrats demand his "
immediate and unconditional release
."
And in the event of "
power deafness, maneuver
", the movement evokes "
possible troubles
".
Guy Nzouba-Ndama is for his part under house arrest and had to hand over his passport to justice.
He is also preparing his defence.
His lawyers evoke several leads, in particular asking the investigating judge to take action.
Interrogations, letters rogatory or even a hearing of Guy Nzouba-Ndama… These are possible strategies.
Personal money or funding from abroad?
On the merits of the case, his camp claims that he was transporting his money, earned during his years in the highest offices of the state.
But several sources wonder about a possible financing of the Gabonese opposition by Congo-Brazzaville, from which returned Guy Nzouba-Ndama.
The Congo did not react.
A source in Brazzaville speaks of “
political instrumentalization probably to prevent the opponent from running for president
”.
But an observer adds that the Congolese are monitoring accusations of an agreement with a foreign power.
“
They are waiting to see if Gabon persists in this way, and if this internal problem leads to a diplomatic crisis.
In Libreville, power remains silent.
►Also read: Nzouba-Ndama case: Congolese civil society organizations demand an investigation
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