Gabon votes on new constitution to cement path to democratic rule
Voters in Gabon headed to the polls on Saturday to decide on a new constitution that promises to establish democratic governance after the military ousted the long-standing Bongo dynasty last year.
The proposed constitution includes significant changes: a two-term limit for the presidency, a seven-year presidential term, the removal of the prime minister’s position, and the formal recognition of French as Gabon’s working language.
The referendum comes after a coup in August 2023 toppled President Ali Bongo, who had been in power since 2009 following the 41-year rule of his father, Omar Bongo. The coup ended over five decades of family dominance in Gabonese politics.
The interim president, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup, has urged citizens to support the new constitution, describing it as a vital step in the junta’s efforts to forge a fresh democratic path for Gabon.
This is the eighth coup in West and Central Africa since 2020, a trend that has drawn criticism from Western powers and regional organizations, which are pressing military leaders across the region to organize elections promptly and restore civilian rule.
The outcome of the referendum will determine whether Gabon embarks on a new democratic trajectory or remains under military influence as it navigates its political transition.
