Amidst ongoing public discourse fueled by revelations about state-owned properties allegedly generating private income, Maître Axel Foumane Dounga, a judicial officer practicing in Libreville, has stepped forward. This public ministerial official asserts that the time is opportune for Gabon to undertake a comprehensive national inventory of its public assets. He explains why judicial officers, or bailiffs, are uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in safeguarding these crucial state resources.

For weeks, the issue of Gabon’s state patrimony has dominated headlines, with startling disclosures concerning certain public buildings. Maître Foumane Dounga reflects on this evolving situation.

Maître Axel Foumane Dounga: Whether these reports are fully substantiated or still require verification, they undeniably highlight a fundamental challenge: the imperative to possess a precise understanding of the State’s assets. Effective administration, protection, or valorization of any patrimony is impossible without a reliable, current, and legally robust inventory. Beyond the emotional response these revelations have triggered, this situation should be viewed as a critical opportunity to initiate a structural overhaul in the management of public property.

You advocate for a national inventory. Why do you consider this undertaking indispensable at this moment?

Because a modern state must have exact knowledge of all its holdings, both movable and immovable. Such an inventory would allow for the identification of each asset, verification of its legal status, control of its allocation, occupation, and, where applicable, the revenues it generates. Fundamentally, this is a tool for good governance. Without a precise overview, it becomes difficult to detect irregular occupations, misappropriations, or revenue losses that might stem from poor management of public assets.

Why do you believe judicial officers should be involved in this operation?

Judicial officers are public ministerial officials entrusted with a mission of authentication. Our profession is specifically tasked with impartially observing factual situations and conferring probative force upon them. In the context of a national inventory, engaging judicial officers would offer several guarantees: neutrality in operations, detailed description of assets, precise localization, identification of potential occupants, and the drafting of official reports (procès-verbaux) that carry genuine legal weight. In essence, this would not merely be an administrative census, but a legally enforceable, secure, and actionable inventory across all jurisdictions.

Concretely, what would be the primary objectives of such an operation?

The objectives are numerous. Firstly, it would involve precisely identifying all assets belonging to the State, then verifying their legal status and how they are being utilized. This exercise would also enable the detection of any unauthorized occupations or undue appropriations. The aim is also to enhance transparency in public asset management, improve governance, and crucially, to preserve state resources for the benefit of all Gabonese citizens.

Do you believe this initiative could contribute to the fight against corruption?

Absolutely. The comprehensive knowledge of public assets is a major lever for preventing embezzlement and conflicts of interest. When a patrimony is perfectly identified, localized, and documented, the opportunities for irregular appropriation become significantly curtailed. It also serves as a formidable decision-making tool for public authorities, enabling them to better valorize state properties, optimize their exploitation, or decide on their allocation with full awareness.

What message do you wish to convey to the authorities?

I respectfully appeal to the President of the Republic to make this inventory operation a national priority. We are living through a period where the demands for transparency, good governance, and accountability are particularly strong. It seems essential to me that Gabon equips itself with an exhaustive map of its public patrimony. We can only effectively protect what we know perfectly. This inventory would constitute a precious legacy for future generations and a strong signal in favor of modern, responsible management of the Nation’s assets.