Gabon’s New Constitution Receives Overwhelming Approval in Recent Vote

Gabon’s military rulers announced strong support for a new constitution, with 91.8% of votes in favor. Key changes include limiting presidential terms and new candidacy requirements. Despite low voter turnout and concerns about transparency, support for the transitional government remains substantial. The constitution aims to reshape governance following the coup that ousted President Bongo.

Gabon’s military officials declared that the new constitution has received overwhelming approval through a recent referendum. According to preliminary results, approximately 91.8% of voters favored the new constitutional proposals presented during the voting process, which took place under heightened security and a newly extended night curfew throughout the electoral period.

The new constitution proposes significant changes, including a limit of two seven-year presidential terms and a ban on prime ministers and dynastic succession. Additionally, the requirements for presidential candidates have been tightened to ensure they are only Gabonese citizens with at least one Gabonese parent and a Gabonese spouse, effectively disqualifying former President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family from future participation.

Transitional President Brice Oligui Nguema praised the referendum as an important advancement for Gabon, expressing confidence in the voting process. However, multiple observers criticized the campaign leading up to the vote as heavily biased in favor of the ruling junta, raising concerns over the authenticity of the referendum and the overall transparency of the electoral process.

Despite low voter turnout figures reported by the interior ministry at 53.54%, there was no significant disruption during the voting. Citizens expressed mixed sentiments; while many individuals, such as civil servant Nathalie Badzoko, cited trust in the junta, opposition voices criticized the constitution as being strategically crafted to allow the junta to cement its own power.

Public sentiment appears slightly favorable towards the transitional government, as over 46% of surveyed individuals expressed confidence in President Oligui, who is expected to run in the presidential elections scheduled for August 2025. Furthermore, concerns regarding unemployment and quality of life are prevalent among the populace, signifying a demand for improvement in these areas.

The context of Gabon’s referendum stems from a military coup that occurred in August 2023, resulting in the ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba. Following this, a new transitional government led by General Brice Oligui Nguema was formed, which has since sought to reshape the constitutional framework of the nation. The proposed constitution aims to prevent the return of dynastic rule, promote national citizenship criteria for presidential candidates, and establish new governance structures conducive to the ruling junta’s agenda. The referendum was perceived as a significant moment for Gabon as it marks the first step towards what the junta claims will be a return to civilian governance and democracy.

In conclusion, the provisional results from Gabon’s referendum indicate widespread support for a new constitution under military rule. While the junta has framed this as a move towards stability and democratic governance, ongoing critiques highlight concerns regarding the legitimacy of the electoral process and the potential for authoritarian rule. With a significant portion of the population expressing confidence in the transitional government, future elections will be crucial in determining the trajectory of governance in Gabon. The final votes will be officially validated by the constitutional court, establishing how these changes will be implemented moving forward.

Original Source: www.tiogapublishing.com