No Foreign Holidays For Gabonese Government Officials

Gabon’s interim president, who came to power in a coup a year ago, has banned members of his transitional government from holidaying abroad.

General Oligui Nguema has also limited the maximum vacation leave for government officials to one week.

The new restrictions were announced on state television after he toured the country to listen to people’s concerns.

There is speculation that General Nguema is seeking to create a more favourable environment to run for president in next year’s elections, the first since he seized power in the Central African state.

He ousted his cousin Ali Bongo, who became president in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power for 41 years.

Since coming to power, General Nguema has tried to convince the public that his military government is acting in their best interests.

However, he has not yet publicly stated whether he will run for the country’s highest office.

News of the holiday restrictions comes days before the first anniversary of the coup, when the junta’s performance will inevitably come under scrutiny.

General Nguema may be hoping for favourable comparisons with the man he overthrew, Mr Bongo, who was known to travel abroad frequently and whose family owned several properties in France And the United Kingdom.

However, Gen Nguema himself is said to own several properties in the US, and when asked about these properties in recent years, he said that his privacy should be respected.

However, it is believed that the new holiday restrictions will also apply to General Nguema.

But he undoubtedly has the right to go abroad for official purposes.

Details of the new holiday rules were read out on state television, with viewers told the aim was to “immerse” government officials in “the reality and expectations of their compatriots.”

A spokesman for the interim government explained that “this measure is intended to promote a return to origins and greater proximity to the local population.” Exceptions will only be made in cases of “force majeure” – a legal term meaning extraordinary events beyond the control of the parties – or for health reasons.

Gabonese officials need not despair, given the variety of attractions in their home country – including beautiful white sand beaches and some of the world’s best Gorilla safaris in Loango National Park.