Gabon’s transitional leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has barred members of his government from traveling out of the Central African nation for their vacations.
Government spokesperson Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi announced the decision on national television on Sunday, adding that officials are only allowed to take one week of leave.
According to Manfoumbi, the “measure aims to encourage a return to the roots and increased proximity with local populations,” in order for the authorities to become acquainted with the realities and expectations of the Gabonese people.
“Exceptions will only be made in cases of duly justified force majeure or for proven health reasons, and only with the express authorization of the head of state,” he clarified.
The move comes ahead of what the interim government has dubbed the Day of National Liberation, scheduled for August 30 to mark one year since Gabonese President Ali Bongo was ousted in a military coup.
General Nguema led a group of Gabonese soldiers to overthrow Ali Bongo, who had been declared the winner of the former French colony’s disputed presidential election last year. The ousted leader had been in power for 14 years after succeeding his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled for more than four decades before his death in 2009.
Since his inauguration as the oil-rich African nation’s interim president last September, Nguema has sought to reassure the over 2 million people in Gabon of his administration’s commitment to acting in their best interests.
The military ruler announced last November that Gabon will hold “free, fair, and credible” elections in August 2025 to transfer power to civilians.
The country is preparing for a referendum to adopt a new constitution that will lay the groundwork for voting, as recommended by a political commission during a month-long national dialogue held in April.
While General Nguema has not declared his intention to run in the elections, the proposed constitution reportedly prohibits transitional government members from running.