a peaceful settlement to the Congolese crisis and guarantee the territorial and the sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and of the other countries in the region. |
Because the world is in economic recession, which worsened since this drama happened, and our country will bear the burden of all of these consequences. |
But it is important to observe that when Europe or the United Nations impose sanctions that are supposed to be aimed against a certain regime, usually generally millions of people end up being directly punished. |
But since independence, Gabon is one of the few countries in Central Africa that enjoys peace and stability. |
But the Western countries that link their partnership with the poorest countries with respect for democracy also have to consider that they have obligations towards these countries. |
Certainly, Africa accounts for only l % of world trade, and we cannot assure our development on our own. |
Do not forget that the Arab countries, starting with Algeria and Egypt, are the ones that have paid the heaviest toll because of Islamic terror. |
Economic sanctions rarely achieve the desired results. |
For about ten years now, the struggle for democracy and the respect of human rights has been in the focus point - if not a commodity - of political groups aiming to rise to power. |
From a democratic point of view, nothing prevents Gabonese voters from voting for or against a majority that exercises executive or legislative power. |
From the time of independences until the end of the Cold War, in spite of the participation of a considerable number of African states in the non-aligned movement, everyone in fact chose to align with one or another of the two major blocks. |
Globalization, far from putting an end to power diplomacy between States, has, on the contrary, intensified it. |
I am happy that sub-regional organizations are involved in preventing, managing and solving conflicts, as well as in peacekeeping missions. |
I am in favor of complete freedom of information and of free access to the new communication tools, in particular the Internet. |
I'm not aiming for the Nobel Peace Prize! |