The Gabonese government has moved from warnings to decisive action. In a breakthrough moment for public finance oversight, more than 1,400 state employees have been formally removed from the payroll for abandoning their posts. The dismissals follow a sweeping accounting and biometric audit ordered by the transitional authorities to clean up public administration files.
A turning point worth billions of CFA francs every year
For years, many individuals kept collecting their monthly salaries without ever showing up for work. Some were living abroad, others held simultaneous jobs in the private sector, and others had simply walked away from their desks long ago.
By removing these 1,473 agents who failed to report to their posts, the Gabonese state will save more than 11 billion CFA francs (around 16.7 million euros) annually. According to the government, this money will fund projects that directly benefit the population, such as hospital renovations, school construction, and the recruitment of genuine teachers and healthcare workers.
Strict controls, but verification is still ongoing
While many citizens welcome the decision after growing tired of wasted public funds, some unions are urging caution. They want assurances that no regular worker was dismissed by mistake due to a technical glitch in the database.
The ministry has stated that questionable cases will be reviewed individually. However, the state warns that anyone who received wages without working could face legal action to repay the undue money.
A necessary reset for the future
This large-scale operation demonstrates the current authorities’ determination to restore order in the country’s management. But dismissing absentees is not enough: it will also be essential to ensure these bad habits do not return and that every public franc is now used for Gabon’s development.
