Interior minister says Gabon has approved a new constitution

Gabon’s military government has announced that a new constitution has been overwhelmingly approved by the public in a recent referendum, according to provisional results released on Sunday. The country’s interior minister confirmed that 91.8% of voters supported the proposed charter, with an estimated voter turnout of 53.5%. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s political landscape as the military junta, led by interim President Brice Oligui Nguema, positions the constitution as a key step in Gabon’s transition toward democratic governance.

The proposed changes come nearly two months after the military seized power in a coup in August 2023, overthrowing long-time President Ali Bongo. Bongo, who had been in office for over 14 years, and his family had ruled the oil-rich central African nation for almost 60 years. Despite the country’s vast natural resources, Gabon’s economy had stagnated under Bongo’s leadership, with about a third of the population living in poverty and widespread dissatisfaction over economic inequality and political corruption.

Following the coup, the military junta, which includes high-ranking officers, pledged to restore democracy and reform the political system. One of the first major actions taken by the junta was the proposal of a new constitution, which they believe will help set the foundation for a return to civilian rule by the summer of 2025.

The new constitution introduces several key reforms aimed at modernizing the political structure of Gabon and curbing the power of the presidency. Among the most notable provisions is the introduction of a two-term limit for the president, with each term lasting seven years. This move is seen as a measure to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one individual, as had been the case under the Bongo family’s long reign. The constitution also stipulates that there will be no prime minister position, further consolidating executive power in the presidency.

Additionally, the proposed constitution bans dynastic succession, ensuring that the transfer of presidential power will no longer be a family affair, as it was under the Bongo dynasty. This provision is viewed as a step towards breaking the political monopoly that had existed in Gabon for decades.

Another key aspect of the new charter is its emphasis on national identity. It specifies that only Gabonese citizens, with at least one Gabonese-born parent, and a Gabonese spouse, will be eligible to run for the presidency. The draft constitution also affirms French as the country’s official working language, which is consistent with Gabon’s history as a former French colony.

Despite these reforms, the draft constitution has raised concerns among some critics, particularly regarding the potential future ambitions of the junta. The document does not explicitly prevent interim President Nguema from running for president in the next election, leading to suspicions that the military could be positioning Nguema to remain in power beyond the intended transition to civilian rule. Some commentators worry that the military’s support for the new constitution could be part of a longer-term strategy to entrench their control over Gabon’s political system, rather than truly restoring democracy.

While the military government has vowed that democratic elections will take place by mid-2025, critics have expressed skepticism about the pace and nature of the transition. The final approval of the constitution will come from Gabon’s Constitutional Court, which will announce the official results of the referendum after verifying the vote.

In the wake of the coup, many Gabonese citizens initially expressed support for the military leadership, hoping it would bring about much-needed reforms and improvements to the country’s governance. However, as the junta’s political future remains uncertain, questions about the military’s true intentions continue to dominate public discourse.

The constitutional referendum marks a critical moment in Gabon’s political evolution, as the country grapples with the challenge of shifting from decades of autocratic rule to a more democratic and accountable system. The outcome of the referendum, and the subsequent implementation of the new constitution, will be closely watched both by Gabonese citizens and the international community, as they seek assurances that the promised transition to democracy will be realized.

As the process moves forward, it will be essential to monitor the political developments in Gabon, particularly the role of the military in the transition, to assess whether the country can truly move toward a more inclusive and democratic future, or whether the changes will be merely cosmetic.