Omar Bongo

“It is up to African leaders to show their will and political courage in order to assure that this new pan-African institution becomes an efficient instrument and not a place for endless discussions.”

“When they favor the access of other people to education and health care, the countries of the North not only demonstrate generosity or solidarity, but also implement the principles of respecting and promoting human rights.”

“The free market economy is supposed to be the only path leading to the happiness of humanity by promoting wealth and prosperity, power and influence of nations.”

“My actions to promote peace, the mediation missions which I carried out during many conflicts, which very often occurred between brothers of the same country, are not driven by any ulterior motives or any calculations based on personal ambitions.”

“I'm not aiming for the Nobel Peace Prize!”

“But since independence, Gabon is one of the few countries in Central Africa that enjoys peace and stability.”

“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.”

“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.”