En colère, le Gabon convoque le consul honoraire du Bénin
"Gabon first," a slogan dear to President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma, is clearly not understood by all of his fellow citizens. Some have made it the credo of their once-repressed xenophobia. For example, a video was seen on social media of a certain Tata Bertille threatening Beninese traders in a market in the country. Samy Boucalt, another Gabonese populist, called for the closure of businesses run by Beninese nationals.
These posts did not go unanswered, as Beninese internet users reacted firmly, defending their own. However, the exchanged comments were not at all courteous. Many resorted to insults.
Some even reportedly insulted the Gabonese president, whose sole intention is to make national preference one of the foundations of the new Gabon. He was not calling for xenophobia. The leader therefore finds it difficult to understand the insults hurled at him by Beninese internet users.
This must "stop"
His Minister of Foreign Affairs, Régis Onanga Ndiaye, summoned Benin's honorary consul in Gabon, Dr. Yessoufou Maroya, midweek. During this meeting, the Gabonese foreign minister expressed Libreville's outrage at the insulting and irreverent remarks targeting President Oligui Nguéma. "This must stop," the minister reportedly said, criticizing the silence of the Beninese authorities. He called for "strong measures" to put an end to these verbal outrages.
Benin threatens legal action against those making these insults
In the wake of this, the Beninese government issued a statement expressing its concern about "the increase in insults and outrageous remarks exchanged between Beninese and Gabonese citizens on social media, particularly against the authorities of both countries." It threatened legal action against those who uttered these insults against "the authorities or incited hatred."
For their part, the Gabonese authorities briefly arrested the troublemakers, namely Tata Bertille and Samy Boucalt.
As a reminder, the national preference advocated by President Oligui Nguéma, through his slogan Gabon first, prohibits certain professions for foreigners and prioritizes locals in the allocation of places in the country's new markets.
Commentaires (6)
Participer à la Discussion
Règles de la communauté :
💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter ou TikTok pour l'afficher automatiquement.