Gabon's constitutional referendum, which reportedly received 92% approval, aims to facilitate a transition to civilian governance after last year's coup. However, skeptics question whether the changes primarily benefit coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema, who has yet to declare his electoral intentions.
Gabon's New Constitution: A Path to Civilian Rule or an Enduring Junta?
Gabon's New Constitution: A Path to Civilian Rule or an Enduring Junta?
Following a recent referendum, Gabon's military leader may be positioned to contest upcoming elections amid a constitution that reforms political tenure and governance structures.
The drafting of a new constitution in Gabon has stirred significant political discourse, following a referendum that resulted in an overwhelming vote in favor of the propositions set forth by the military authorities. Provisional results indicate that 92% of voters supported the new regulations, which aim to shift Gabon towards civilian governance after a military coup ousted long-time president Ali Bongo Odimba. While the military junta hails this as a monumental step in restoring constitutional order, critics argue it serves more to entrench the power of General Brice Oligui Nguema, the coup leader.
The Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) reported a voter turnout of 54%, with no significant disturbances noted during the electoral process. As the military leader cast his vote, he termed the event a “great step forward,” asserting that the Gabonese were participating in an honest and transparent democratic process.
Under the newly proposed constitution, the presidency's term limits have been modified; candidates can now serve a seven-year term that is renewable once, in contrast to the previous unlimited five-year terms that facilitated dynastic rule. Notably, the draft constitution prohibits presidential candidates from being related to sitting presidents and mandates that they be exclusively Gabonese with Gabonese spouses, which could disqualify Bongo, given his marriage to a French citizen.
This amendment has been interpreted as an effort to dismantle the 55-year Bongo family dynasty. The new governance structure further eliminates the role of the prime minister and introduces two vice-presidential positions, raising concerns among some analysts regarding potential power consolidation at the presidential level.
Despite Gabon's substantial natural resource wealth, including oil, significant portions of its population—approximately one-third of the 2.4 million citizens—live below the poverty line, according to UN reports. As Gabon enters this pivotal juncture, the broader implications of these constitutional changes will continue to unfold, raising vital questions about the future nature of governance in the country. The Constitutional Court is set to release the final results of the referendum shortly, setting the stage for elections expected in August of next year.
The Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) reported a voter turnout of 54%, with no significant disturbances noted during the electoral process. As the military leader cast his vote, he termed the event a “great step forward,” asserting that the Gabonese were participating in an honest and transparent democratic process.
Under the newly proposed constitution, the presidency's term limits have been modified; candidates can now serve a seven-year term that is renewable once, in contrast to the previous unlimited five-year terms that facilitated dynastic rule. Notably, the draft constitution prohibits presidential candidates from being related to sitting presidents and mandates that they be exclusively Gabonese with Gabonese spouses, which could disqualify Bongo, given his marriage to a French citizen.
This amendment has been interpreted as an effort to dismantle the 55-year Bongo family dynasty. The new governance structure further eliminates the role of the prime minister and introduces two vice-presidential positions, raising concerns among some analysts regarding potential power consolidation at the presidential level.
Despite Gabon's substantial natural resource wealth, including oil, significant portions of its population—approximately one-third of the 2.4 million citizens—live below the poverty line, according to UN reports. As Gabon enters this pivotal juncture, the broader implications of these constitutional changes will continue to unfold, raising vital questions about the future nature of governance in the country. The Constitutional Court is set to release the final results of the referendum shortly, setting the stage for elections expected in August of next year.
