Politics 'African' Style - accused of ruling the country as their private property and trying to put themselves in prime position to succeed their father.
French authorities are to investigate the assets of the Gabonese President Omar Bongo, who is accused of misappropriating millions of dollars meant for public services.
Mr Bongo is one of three African leaders accused of embezzlement by the French arm of the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International - also under investigation are Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Republic of Congo and Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
It is alleged that the volume of real estate owned by Mr Bongo's family in France could not have been purchased with official salaries alone. In recent weeks this has been followed by the freezing of Mr Bongo's bank accounts in France following bribery allegations.
Mr Bongo, who has temporarily stepped down from his post on health grounds while visiting Europe, has denied any wrongdoing.
But critics have long argued that Mr Bongo's stay in power has been as a consequence of a combination of violence and corruption.
The first tide of violence happened in the 1970s when several opposition members were killed. Then in 1990, the mysterious death of opposition leader Joseph Redjambe sparked riots that rocked the regime for days.
But it is money that is thought to be the ultimate weapon in the hands of the president and his family.
It is money that has helped to ensure peace, silence critics and fuel solid friendships abroad, notably in France, its former colonial power.
And over recent years it has become increasingly clear that, either as a result of intimidation or gifts, all Mr Bongo's political opponents have thrown in the towel.
Even Pierre Mamboundou, leader of the Union for the People of Gabon (UPG) - until recently considered Mr Bongo's most credible rival - has now joined the long list of former opponents turned quiet.
With a reputation as an uncompromising man and no stranger to exile and political imprisonment, Mr Mamboundou had fought and lost two presidential polls.
In 2006, however, he stopped his public criticisms of Mr Bongo. The former firebrand makes no secret that the president pledged to give him $21.5 million for the development of his constituency of Ndende.
The wealth of President Bongo may be a well-kept secret, but he is believed to be one of the world's richest men. His assets abroad may just be the tip of the iceberg, but they provide more than a clue to the extent of his fortune.
In 2007 a police investigation into real estate owned by the president and his family in France disclosed 33 properties in Paris and Nice worth an estimated $190 million. Source BBC Africa News
RT - The news item is eerily similar to what the people of Seychelles have witnessed for so many years following the demise of the Seychellois 1st Republic. Power breeds corruption and indeed 'unchecked' becomes so prevelant that the people are so overwhelmed by a thousand lies that the truth can no longer be seen even when it is painted before our very eyes! Since the re-establishment of multi-party by the regime of the then President of the Seychelles and current 'generalissimo' or party president of the ruling SPPF, Hon. Albert Rene,in 1992, opposition figures have struggled to establish a secure footing or 'counter balance' to the power of what is the 'Rene Revolution'.
Those returning leaders who had vision enough to foresee partisan politics causing greater 'losses' for the Seychellois democratic cause championed reconciliation early on, much to the chagrin of the ruling elites who simply ridiculed or scoffed at any idea of a 'reconciliation commission' or government of national unity. Why? Simply because all the dirty deeds of the regime since the fall of the Seychellois 1st Republic would risk exposure!
Too much power had been amassed for any real thought of unity. Those in the 'know' would continue to 'know' for us all for many years to come and continue to be our 'thinkers'.
Today the 22nd of May 2009 with yet another SPPF led government running the affairs of the Seychellois people the same remains the same, with a little window dressing here and there.
In the years since the return of 'democracy' to the Seychelles small steps have been taken to establish a sense of moral values, a respect for the rule of law and constitution and most importantly,accountability to the people, who remain above all in any democracy, the final authority over government. This has been made willingly by those brave patriotic Seychellois who stood up to be counted as a member of an alternate way of 'thinking'. The ruling 'elites' would attempt to disparage these citizens as being 'non sensical' this in itself being ridiculous if one is to consider that a return to 'multi-party' would mean that no longer would we the people accept any one 'Front's' view on things.
A great statesman one said, " we have a country with a government and not a government with a country"! Seychelles today remains a "government with a country", with a political party thinking that it has the right to continue its 'one party' mentality disguised slightly to make one think that it is 'operating' within the 'laws' of the land.
Omar Bango on other 'Big Men Of African' politics seem to think apparently that they can continue to operate freely within a 'democratic' setting without fear, amassing huge fortunes! Rather these leadership personalities would be best serve if they had used there influence to declare outright their 'onwership' of their country, creating a 'royal' title or the the like then be done with it!
The life span of these 'dictatorships' or 'absolute rule' regimes in recorded modern history is not one of longevity. They simply cannot co-exist for long with other established countries in other meaningful established poltical settings. Those which remain, become isolated and a pariah state.
Seychelles emerging from one party absolute rule has since wrapped itself with what is respectable within the international community. What is under this 'wrapping' the 'under belly' of the political beast in Seychelles is what is important however.
Seychelles today has in reality changed little. Another 'layer' has been added and the people continue to blinded by what is 'painted' before them.
"The Cabinet of Ministers, it seems, is hyper-sensitive to the issue of corruption and they tried to fool the people yet again by trying desperately to equate the 45% debt forgiveness by Paris Club as an endorsement that the government is not corrupt. Of course, this could not be further from the truth and this newspaper will not be silenced by lame threats of legal action designed to intimidate, bully and silence the only voice which is telling the people of Seychelles the truth. The truth will set us free and we will continue to tell our people the truth and let them judge for themselves why today our country is burdened and shamed with an external debt totaling 800 million dollars representing 170% of our GDP which the next generation will have to pay." Source Le Nouveau Seychelles Weekly
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