Gabon’s military leader, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, has announced that he will no longer receive a salary as the president. Instead, he will only be paid for his role as the commander of the republican guard.
He became the temporary president after President Ali Bongo was removed from power in August.
On Wednesday night, the person speaking for the military government said that Gen Nguema made the decision because he knew that the people of Gabon needed help and had many things they hoped for.
Col Ulrich Manfoumbi said that every day that goes by, the [junta] is becoming more and more aware of how the country is getting worse,especially when it comes to public finances.
Former President Bongo, who ruled for 14years, was accused of stealing money and being involved in other illegal activities. The group in charge now says that the country’s finances have been greatly harmed by these criminal acts.
Besides giving up his salary as president, Gen Nguema also chose to decrease the amount of money the government spends by reducing the payments given to lawmakers,getting rid of funds for political purposes, and cutting back-on the money given for meetings. The government said this would bring together all the money of the state.
The recent action is seen as a way to make the people of Gabon trust their leaders again.
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Leader of Gabonese junta rejects presidential salary
