Coup leader launches public spending inquiry

Gabon’s coup leader and now transitional President, General Brice Oligui Nguema, last week announced an inquiry into public works spendings ‘to detect any irregularity or potential fraud’. Straight after seizing power, he had called in several hundred company owners to warn them to stop overcharging and taking kickbacks on public works deals. The toppling of Ali Bongo Ondimba brought the curtain down on 55 years of rule by a family accused of extracting fabulous wealth from Gabon's major oil reserves. Ali Bongo took over when his father Omar died in 2009 after nearly 42 years in power. Bongo was ousted on 30 August, shortly after being declared the winner in disputed elections. News24 reports that French investigators in 2016 zeroed in on properties owned by Bongo's family in France. They suspected several of his relatives knowingly benefitted from a fraudulently acquired real-estate empire worth at least €85m. Ten of Omar Bongo's 54 children have been charged with allegedly concealing the misappropriation of public funds, a Paris-based legal source told AFP. As a sitting head of state, Ali Bongo had immunity. Much of the money came from ‘undue commissions’ paid by French energy giant Elf, now a part of TotalEnergies.

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