General Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon‘s military leader, has declared that he will forgo his presidential salary and will instead receive a wage as the commander of the republican guard.
He assumed the role of interim president after the ousting of President Ali Bongo in August.
The junta spokesperson announced this decision on Wednesday night, stating that General Nguema made this choice in light of the pressing social needs and high expectations of the Gabonese population.
The junta is increasingly becoming aware of the country’s dire state of affairs and, in particular, the precarious state of public finances.
The former President Ali Bongo’s 14-year tenure was marred by allegations of corruption and financial scandals, and the junta claims that the nation’s finances have suffered from severe wrongdoing.
In addition to relinquishing his presidential salary, General Nguema has also opted to curtail public expenditures by reducing allowances for lawmakers, abolishing political funds, and cutting session allowances.
The presidency has stated that this will help strengthen the state’s finances.
This recent action is perceived as an effort to rebuild the confidence of the Gabonese people in their country’s leadership.
Source-BBC
