Gabon Voters Approve New Constitution in Recent Referendum.

International

The voters of Gabon have approved a new constitution in a referendum with preliminary results indicating that 91.8% of participants supported the proposed changes.


      - The voter turnout was reported at approximately 53.5%, according to Gabon's Interior Minister Hermann Immongault.

      - This referendum marks a significant step in Gabon's political landscape following the military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba in August 2023.

      - Candidates must be exclusively Gabonese, requiring at least one Gabon-born parent and a Gabonese spouse. This provision effectively disqualifies Ali Bongo Ondimba and his children from future candidacy due to his marriage to a French national.

Main Points:-   (i) The new constitution introduces a limit of two terms for the presidency, with each term extended from five to seven years.

      (ii) The role of prime minister has been abolished, centralizing executive power within the presidency.

(iii) The constitution prohibits family members from succeeding a president, aiming to prevent dynastic rule and ensure a more democratic transfer of power.
About Gabon

President : Brice Oligui Nguema
Capital : Libreville
          ____________________________