Gabon's transitional authorities announce general elections

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - Gabon will hold general elections in August 2025, bringing the transition to an end, the transitional authorities announced Monday in a statement read live on national television.

The Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), the junta which overthrew President Ali Bongo on Aug. 30 this year, has published a timetable for Gabon's political transition.

CTRI spokesman Lieut. Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, reading out the timetable live, said that elections would be held in August 2025, preceded by many reforms.

He cited among other things a referendum to adopt the new constitution in December 2024, preceded by the transformation of parliament into a Constituent Assembly in June 2024.

According to the junta, the timetable is indicative and will be definitively adopted at the Inclusive National Dialogue scheduled for April 1-30, 2024 to draw up the new political and institutional contours of the republic under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of Libreville.

The junta's objectives include the restoration of stability and confidence, institutional and legislative reform, and the fight against corruption.