73/92_13AR Mohammed Lamin Diakité / Gabon Summary of Facts 1. The Complainant is a citizen of Mali who lived in Gabon for 17 years, and was expelled on 4th November 1987, leaving his wife and 5 children who were all born in Gabon. According to the Complainant, the reason for his expulsion is that his friend (a certain Mr Coulibaly Hamidou) was accused of having a sexual relationship with the first wife of a Gabonese government minister, Mr Mba Eyoghe, former member of government. Consequently, the latter, using his connections with certain members of the Gabonese administration humiliated the Complainant, his family and friend. The Complainant also claims that Mr Mba Ejoghe owes him money. The Complainant and his friend were expelled from Gabon on 27th August 1989, following expulsion order No. 182/MATCLI-DGAT-DDF-SF. A second order No. 126/MAT/CLD/SE/SG/DGAT/DDF/SF of 22nd June 1992 nullified the first order, therefore the Complainant and his friend were authorised to come back to Gabon. Complaint 2. Though the Complainant does not indicate specific violations of the provisions of the Charter to substantiate his communication, it appears that Articles 12(4), 14 and 18 (1) and (2) have been violated. Procedure 3. The communication is dated 10th April 1992. The Commission was seized of it at its 12th [Ordinary] Session. 4. The Secretariat of the Commission exchanged many correspondences with the parties on the issue of exhaustion of local remedies and reparation by the Gabonese authorities to the Complainant for the prejudice suffered. 5. The Complainant responded and indicated that he had exhausted local remedies and that the Gabonese authorities were yet to remedy the violations occasioned. 6. At its 14th Session held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 25th October to 3rd November 1994, the communication was declared admissible. 7. At its 16th Session held in October 1995, the Commission directed that a letter be sent to the Government of Gabon to find out what steps had been taken to deal with the Complainant's case. 8. At the 17th Session in March 1996, it was decided that Commissioner Nguema would take the matter up with the Foreign Minister of Gabon. 9. On 30th March 1995, a Note Verbale was received from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Gabon, stating that Commissioner Nguema had met the Minister of Foreign Affairs for discussions. The case of M Diakité had been discussed but a resolution had not been reached. However the Gabon authorities promised to work on a solution. 10. The case was deferred on many occasions to allow the parties to settle the matter amicably with the assistance of Commissioner Isaac Nguema. Unfortunately, these attempts did not succeed. 11. On 11th May 1999, the Secretariat received a letter sent by the Complainant and addressed to the Chairman of the Commission. The said letter was soliciting his intervention ex qualité to the Gabonese Head of State. The content of the letter was brought to the attention of the Chairman. He then wrote to the President of Gabon, on 10th June 1999, requesting him to help find a lasting solution to the matter. The latter is yet to react. 12. On 30th March 2000, the Secretariat received a letter from the Complainant acknowledging receipt of the letter conveying the decision of the Commission to postpone consideration of the communication to the 27th Session. But at the same time he expressed his wishes that a final decision will be taken at the said session. 13. On 30th April 2000, the Respondent State submitted fresh evidence thereby throwing more light on the matter and the way the Complainant and his friend returned to Gabon. 1