Gabon approves new constitution in referendum

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Voters in Gabon approved a constitutional referendum that will pave the way for elections to revert to democratic rule, according to provisional results announced Sunday by the country’s interior minister.

Over 91% of voters approved, while 8.20% said “no,” Hermann Immongault said in a statement.

Voter turnout was 53.5% of the 860,000 eligible voters.

The results will be validated by the Constitutional Court in the coming days.

Saturday’s poll was held to decide on a new proposed constitution, presented as a crucial step to the holding of presidential elections.

The draft constitution abolishes the post of prime minister and provides for a seven-year presidential term that can be renewed once.

The referendum came more than a year after a group of senior Gabonese army officers deposed President Ali Bongo in August 2023.

Following the coup, Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema, former commander of the Republican Guard, was sworn in as the country's transitional president, ending 56 years of the so-called Bongo dynasty.

The draft constitution gives the presidency more powers to appoint members of the judiciary and dissolve parliament but bans family members of the president from succession.

Prospective presidential candidates must have at least one Gabonese-born parent and hold no other nationality.

After Bongo’s ouster, the military dissolved institutions, formed a transitional parliament and promised a two-year transition period.

Elections are scheduled for August 2025, and Nguema is expected to stand.