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Gabon’s interim president, who seized power in a coup a year ago, has banned members of the transitional government from going abroad on vacation.
General Origi Nguema has also limited leave for government officials to a maximum of one week.
The new restrictions were announced on state television after he toured the country to listen to the people’s demands.
There has been speculation that General Nguema may be preparing to run in next year’s presidential election – the first since he seized power in the Central African country.
He overthrew the regime of his cousin, Ali Bongo, who had assumed the presidency in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power for 41 years.
Since General Nguema came to power, he has sought to assure the public that everything his military government does is in their best interests.
However, he has not yet commented publicly on whether he will run for the nation’s highest office.
News of the holiday restrictions comes days ahead of the first anniversary of the coup, when the junta’s record will inevitably come under scrutiny.
General Nguema may be hoping to draw favorable comparisons with Mr. Bongo, the man he toppled, who is known to travel abroad frequently and whose family owns several properties. In France and U.K..
However, General Nguema himself is said to own several properties in the United States and when asked about these properties in recent years He said his private life should be respected.
Nonetheless, it is thought that the new holiday restrictions will also apply to General Nguema.
But there is no doubt that he has the right to travel abroad on official business.
State television read out details of the new holiday rules and told viewers the move was aimed at giving government officials “deep insights into the realities and expectations” of their fellow citizens.
A spokesman for the interim government explained that “the measure aims to encourage people to return to their roots and promote closeness to the local population,” and stipulated that exceptions would only be made in cases of “force majeure” – a legal term referring to extraordinary events beyond the control of the parties – or for health reasons.
Gabonese officials need not despair, as their home country has numerous attractions, including stunning white-sand beaches and some of the world’s best Gorilla Safari in Loango National Park.
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