On October 30, 2026, in Libreville, Gabon, Mayor Eugène M'ba convened an emergency meeting with representatives from the collective of traders at the CTRI market in Oloumi. This gathering followed a video circulating on social media where female traders expressed discontent over a foreign national allegedly occupying the best market stalls. The meeting aimed to clear up misunderstandings and restore trust among the parties involved.
The meeting was attended by key municipal officials, including the first and third deputy mayors, Jean-Jacques Kangué and Issa Malam Salatou, respectively. Also present were Hortense Joëlle Nse Mvie, the market's responsible officer, and Bachir, an economic operator involved in market management. Mayor M'ba sought to ease tensions by providing clarifications on recent market renovations and alleged acts of vandalism attributed to the economic partner.
According to the mayor's communication, the renovations were not intended for private appropriation but rather to create a space for the municipal Direction des affaires sociales (DAS). This space is meant for temporary storage of materials for children during the 2026 Christmas festivities. The mayor emphasized that the CTRI market was built to address recurring difficulties faced by traders in securing stalls within municipal markets.
Mayor M'ba highlighted that the market's infrastructure aims to provide traders with a better working environment and enable the municipality to improve revenue management. He stressed that, in line with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's directives, these commercial spaces are exclusively reserved for Gabonese nationals. This assurance was made to alleviate concerns over foreign occupation of prime market stalls.
Following the discussions, Mayor M'ba urged all stakeholders to prioritize dialogue and collaborate to dispel misconceptions and maintain a peaceful atmosphere at the market. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to work together to address the traders' concerns and ensure the market operates smoothly.
The mayor's intervention demonstrates the municipal government's commitment to addressing the needs of local traders and ensuring that markets are managed in a fair and transparent manner. By engaging directly with traders and addressing their concerns, Mayor M'ba aims to foster a more harmonious and productive relationship between the municipality and market stakeholders.
The successful resolution of this issue will likely have a positive impact on the local business community, promoting confidence in the municipal government's ability to manage markets effectively. The mayor's efforts to promote dialogue and understanding will be crucial in maintaining peace and stability at the CTRI market and other municipal markets in Libreville.
Key points
- Mayor Eugène M'ba holds emergency meeting with market representatives to address concerns over foreign occupation of prime stalls.
- The CTRI market was built to provide traders with a better working environment and enable the municipality to improve revenue management.
- Commercial spaces in the market are exclusively reserved for Gabonese nationals, in line with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's directives.
