On October 7, a Gabonese content creator known as "La Mairesse" and Auguste, the founder of Coquin Shop Gabon, apologized to the nation, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and judicial authorities for promoting products that were considered to be an outrage to public morals. The two individuals had been in police custody for 48 hours before being released and presenting their apologies.
The controversy began with a video published on Facebook on October 1, which featured products from Coquin Shop Gabon, a store that sells adult toys. In the video, "La Mairesse" and Auguste presented the products in a way that was deemed to be an attack on public morals. The video went viral, and the two individuals were subsequently arrested by the judicial police on October 5.
During their apology, "La Mairesse" acknowledged that she had not measured the legal implications of her actions, stating that "one does not know the law." She also retracted her previous statement that the products could replace men, attributing it to a "maboulisme," or a state of madness. The two individuals claimed that their intention was not to offend public morals.
As a result of the controversy, Coquin Shop Gabon was permanently closed, and its products were confiscated and slated for destruction. The incident has sparked a national conversation about the limits of free expression and the importance of respecting public morals. The case may be prosecuted under article 212 of the penal code, which carries a penalty of two years in prison and a fine of two million FCFA.
The incident has raised concerns about the regulation of adult content in Gabon and the need for clearer guidelines on what is considered acceptable. The government has not announced any plans to regulate the industry, but the incident has sparked a wider conversation about the need for greater oversight.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has not publicly commented on the incident, but his administration has made it clear that it will take steps to ensure that public morals are protected. The incident has also sparked a wider conversation about the role of social media in shaping public discourse and the need for greater responsibility among content creators.
The apology by "La Mairesse" and Auguste has been seen as a positive step towards resolving the controversy, but the incident has also highlighted the need for greater awareness and education about the importance of respecting public morals. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being mindful of the content that is shared on social media and the potential consequences of promoting products that are deemed to be an outrage to public morals.
Key points
- A Gabonese content creator and shop owner apologized for promoting products deemed to be an outrage to public morals.
- The incident has sparked a national conversation about the limits of free expression and the importance of respecting public morals.
- Coquin Shop Gabon was permanently closed, and its products were confiscated and slated for destruction.
