Gabon's Former President Ali Bongo Faces Backlash Over Unpaid Household Staff

The former president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, finds himself in dire straits as reports surface of his inability to fulfill his domestic responsibilities, including paying his household staff.

Since being ousted from power in a military coup in August 2023, Bongo's domestic employees claim to have gone unpaid for five months, plunging them into financial hardship and uncertainty.

According to sources close to the situation, the former president's household staff have reached a breaking point, publicly denouncing the untenable situation they find themselves in. In a statement released on February 14, 2024, the spokesperson for Bongo's employees expressed their distress, highlighting the impact of their unpaid salaries on their ability to provide for their families' basic needs, including education, healthcare, and housing.

The employees are now demanding not only the payment of their overdue salaries but also the settlement of all their rights and a redeployment within the administration of the Presidency of the Republic. They appeal to President of the Transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, for clemency and a resolution to their grievances.

The public response to the employees' plight has been mixed, with some urging them to continue advocating for their rights and making their voices heard. This sentiment is underscored by references to Bongo's own call for public outcry during his time in power, emphasizing the irony of his current predicament.

Ali Bongo's dismissal by the military following contested election results marked the end of the long-standing "Bongo dynasty," which had ruled Gabon for over fifty-five years. Despite his fourteen-year tenure as president, Bongo's legacy is now overshadowed by the turmoil and upheaval that have characterized his post-coup existence.

As the former president grapples with personal and financial challenges, his situation serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of power and the consequences of political instability. Amidst the fallout of regime change, the plight of Bongo's unpaid household staff highlights the human cost of political upheaval and the urgent need for resolution and reconciliation in Gabon.