Gabon Referendum Yields Overwhelming Support for New Constitution

Gabonese voters have reportedly approved a new constitution with 91.8% support, as announced by the military junta overseeing the vote. The constitution limits presidential terms and prohibits dynastic succession, disqualifying former president Ali Bongo. However, critics argue that the changes favor the junta’s leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, who aims for the presidency in 2025. Concerns about employment and governance persist amid public trust in the new leadership.

Preliminary results from Gabon indicate that voters have decisively supported a new constitution in a recent referendum, as confirmed by military authorities. Approximately 860,000 registered voters were urged through various media outlets to participate in the vote, selecting either a green ballot for “yes” or a red one for “no.” The newly proposed constitution includes significant changes, such as limiting presidential terms to a maximum of two seven-year terms and abolishing the position of prime minister, as well as prohibiting dynastic succession. The Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) reported that 91.8 percent of those who voted endorsed the new constitution, though voter turnout was marked at 53.54 percent, notably lower than earlier projections.

The referendum’s atmosphere was heavily influenced by the ruling junta that seized power in a coup last August, maintaining a pervasive presence in the media to garner support for the constitutional change. Importantly, candidates for the presidency must now be exclusively Gabonese, effectively disqualifying Ali Bongo Ondimba, the previous president, and his family. Transitional president Brice Oligui Nguema hailed the vote as a monumental step forward for the nation. The electoral process proceeded with minimal disturbances, and the junta has emphasized its commitment to restoring civilian governance, albeit with aspirations for Oligui to become a presidential candidate in the scheduled elections in 2025.

Critics, however, have voiced strong opposition to the constitutional revisions, suggesting that they serve to entrench autocratic rule. Concerns regarding employment, health care, and infrastructure remain pivotal among citizens as surveys show a significant portion of the population believes the country is generally progressing positively. Oligui enjoys considerable public trust, suggesting a complex political environment as Gabon navigates this transitional phase.

The context of Gabon’s constitutional referendum stems from the military coup that occurred in August 2023, which ousted longtime president Ali Bongo Ondimba amid claims of corruption and poor governance. The junta aims to reshape the political landscape by introducing constitutional reforms intended to enhance democratic practices and limit presidential powers. However, skepticism about the junta’s true intentions and the integrity of the electoral process persists among citizens and opposition figures alike. The recent public vote is a critical step in determining the nation’s future governance structure and political stability.

The preliminary approval of Gabon’s new constitution highlights both the hopes for reform within a politically tumultuous landscape and the skepticism from opposition groups regarding the junta’s intentions. While a significant majority has endorsed the changes, concerns remain about the potential for authoritarian rule under the guise of constitutional democracy. The upcoming elections in 2025 will ultimately determine the effectiveness of these reforms and the future direction of the Gabonese government.

Original Source: www.tiogapublishing.com