When Ali Bongo, the president of Gabon, appeared on video to give his traditional New Year’s address last year, he looked healthy — but something about him was off. His right arm was strangely immobile, and he mumbled through parts of his speech. Some of his facial expressions seemed odd.
“It’s a total information disorder,” said Julie Owono, “people are even considering that someone else might be impersonating the president, and may be exercising the highest office of the country — which is quite frankly, very frightening.”