The Movement for the Greatness of Gabon (MGG), under the leadership of its President Christian Mermance N’nang Nsome, has issued a strong call for the unconditional release of Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nzé, the detained leader of the opposition party Ensemble Pour le Gabon (EPG).
Justice and democracy under threat
In a bold statement released this week, the MGG emphasized that the continued detention of Bilie-By-Nzé—held at the Central Prison of Libreville since April 2026 on allegations of fraud involving five million CFA francs—undermines both justice and the democratic gains secured through years of struggle by over 100 political formations. Some of these parties now face the risk of dissolution under the country’s latest political party regulations, the group warns.
Standing firm against injustice
“My stance isn’t about defending one person—it’s about what I expected from Gabon’s political class, civil society, and media when I was unlawfully imprisoned for nearly seven months,” declared Christian Mermance N’nang Nsome, who, despite his public support for President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma, refuses to align blindly with the regime.
Rejecting silence, embracing responsibility
He urged Gabonese judges to uphold justice by ruling solely on the evidence in Bilie-By-Nzé’s case, drawing a parallel to his own experience. “During my detention, the courts applied the law fairly. They must do the same now,” he insisted.
Reflecting on the personal toll of his imprisonment, N’nang Nsome shared, “The ordeal left deep scars—not just financially, but in my health and that of my loved ones. Yet those in power seem untroubled by the human cost of their actions.”
A warning for Gabon’s future
In a political climate where dissent is increasingly equated with public disorder, the MGG President vowed to speak out despite potential backlash. “They jailed me yesterday. Today, they’ve jailed Bilie-By-Nzé. Who will be next?” he questioned, framing his advocacy as a moral duty to prevent further injustice.
