Gabon is transitioning to civilian rule, with junta leader Brice Oligui Nguema announcing his candidacy for president. A proposed constitution includes a two-term limit and French as the working language. Elections are scheduled for April 12, 2025, following a significant constitutional vote slated for November 2024. This follows a coup that ended the Bongo family’s long reign.
Gabon is set to transition to civilian governance, with current junta leader Brice Oligui Nguema announcing his candidacy for the presidency. The proposed constitution enforces a two-term limit for the presidency and designates French as the official working language. This follows a coup on August 30, 2023, marking a transformative period for the West African nation.
Since the coup that ended the Bongo family’s long reign, a significant vote on a new constitution is projected for November 2024. Nguema has assumed leadership after Ali Bongo Ondimba, who governed for over a decade following his father’s 40-year rule. As part of the transition, presidential elections are scheduled for April 12, 2025, following a meeting by the Council of Ministers in January 2025.
The proposed constitutional changes eliminate the prime minister’s role and enforce the two-term structure with seven-year terms. Notably, Brice Oligui Nguema, despite being a transitional leader, has been granted an exception to run for the presidency, as dialogue about a fair electoral process gains traction. In a public address, he expressed that his decision stemmed from careful consideration and widespread appeals from the populace.
During a gathering, Nguema remarked, “I am a builder, and I need your courage, your strength, to build this country.” He acknowledged the armed forces’ wishes for him to participate in the elections and encouraged them to fulfill their civic responsibilities, while promising to address their concerns in the forthcoming days. Amidst recent regional instability marked by eight coups since 2020, there are calls for a rapid return to civilian governance from both Western and regional entities.
Gabon is moving towards a significant democratic transition with the upcoming presidential elections in 2025, led by current junta leader Brice Oligui Nguema. The introduction of a new constitution aims to establish crucial governance frameworks, such as term limits. Despite the challenges posed by previous governance and regional instability, the intentions for a smoother transition to civilian rule remain evident.
Original Source: africa.businessinsider.com
