Gabonese judges protest to demand judicial independence

The Gabon National Judges Union (SYNAMAG) on Monday organized street protests against political appointments which, according to them, erodes judicial independence.

"The promotion of the former public prosecutor Sidonie Flore Ouwe, a first grade judge, to the position of First President of the Court of Appeal, threatens our independence," the protesting judges said.

The position is reserved for judges who have reached grade 5, they insisted.

"This decision must be cancelled. We are ready to adopt other measures if our demand is not satisfactorily addressed," one of the judges said.

"No to political interference and politicisation of the judiciary, and no to judges who are tainted by corruption," SYNAMAG Secretary General Stanislas Koumba said.

On the same day, Gabon's Justice Minister Seraphin Moundounga proceeded to swear into office Ouwe and her other colleagues whose appointment was equally contested by SYNAMAG.

During the judges' protest, they equally denounced repeated violations of Gabon's Constitution, especially with regards to the law touching on the Supreme Council of Judges, as well as the law on the status of judges.

The judges' union said it would issue a strike notice to the Justice ministry on Tuesday. Endit