Activists invited to the inauguration of the City of Democracy.
“When the ‘Gabonese influencers abroad’ invited to the event discover republican hospitality.
L ongtemps relégués au rang d’« ennemis du Gabon » dans certains médias proches du pouvoir, plusieurs activistes de la diaspora, célèbres pour leurs lives enflammés contre le régime d’Oligui Nguéma, auraient récemment reçu une invitation pour le moins… surprenante.
Long relegated to the status of ‘enemies of Gabon’ in certain media outlets close to the former authorities, several diaspora activists — known for their fiery livestreams criticizing the Oligui Nguema administration — have reportedly received an invitation that is, to say the least… unexpected.
Between two fiery livestreams, some may soon be trading the digital boxing ring for institutional canapés — air‑conditioning included. But behind this sudden openness, questions are beginning to surface. A genuine gesture of appeasement, or a well‑oiled communication operation?
An open trap,’ whisper the more cautious observers, already wondering about the swift — and paperwork‑free — return of these guests who are not quite like the others. Meanwhile, in Libreville, the authorities continue to advance their agenda and unfold their narrative of a nation on the move, between visible construction projects and renewed symbols. A striking contrast with the sharp criticism broadcast nonstop on social media, where Gabon sometimes appears frozen in a state of permanent crisis. The question now is whether these dissenting voices, once on site, will maintain the volume of their criticism… or adapt to the softer acoustics of official ceremonies. After all, between militant fiber and the presidential Wi‑Fi’s fiber‑optic signal, the tone can sometimes shift.
