The head of the junta in Gabon welcomed on Wednesday the strong approval of the Gabonese people for the new constitution which he considers “a break with past practices”.
General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, sent a message to the nation following the constitutional referendum of November 16, which saw a large majority of voters approving the new constitution.
With 91.64% of “yes”, General Nguema welcomed the political maturity of the Gabonese people,
stressing the importance of this constitution which he considers as a break with past practices.
President Nguema specified that this referendum marked a turning point adding that this new constitution is the result of a “deep national reflection,” designed to respond to the realities of Gabon. He also highlighted its key role for the future of the country, calling it a “purely Gabonese constitutional model,” which embodies the collective aspirations of the Gabonese people.
“The Gabonese people expressed themselves massively during the referendum, thus demonstrating their political and democratic maturity, and their commitment to the future of our country,” Oligui Nguema said.
He called for national unity, affirming that this reform marks an essential step in the transition process.
“Today, there is neither winner nor loser. The only winner is immortal Gabon,” he declared, calling on the Gabonese people to work “in unity and harmony” for the implementation of the new constitution.
He also discussed the next steps, including the revision of the Electoral Code and the organisation of free and transparent elections, thus marking the end of the transition.
The presidential election is scheduled to be held in August 2025.
The final results announced by the Constitutional Court during a formal hearing reveal a lower number of registered voters (853,028 instead of 868,115), fewer voters (462,166 instead of 463,066) and fewer votes cast (416,382 instead of 454,173) than the provisional figures provided by the Ministry of the Interior.
However, the turnout, a crucial issue in this consultation, increased slightly to 54.18 percent (compared to 53.54 percent previously).
“After examining the results of all the commissions, the court proclaims that the referendum of November 16, 2024, gave the following results: votes obtained for the ‘Yes’ 91.64 percent,” declared Dieudonne Aba’a Owono, the head of the Constitutional Court.
This rate is slightly lower than the 91.80 percent announced by the Ministry of the Interior after the referendum.
The former head of the presidential guard reiterated his promise to hand over power to civilians while indicating his presidential ambitions, also promising a “rise towards happiness” for Gabon, a country both rich in oil and heavily indebted.
The 173 articles of the new constitution, the result of contributions collected during a national dialogue in the spring, establish in particular a seven-year presidential term renewable only once, with a presidential regime with strong executive power, without a prime minister, and the prohibition of a dynastic transfer of power.
Article 2 enshrines the accession to power of the junta led by General Oligui on August 30, 2023, instituting a “liberation celebration.”
Article 170 guarantees an amnesty for those involved in the events from August 29, 2023 to the inauguration of the leader of the transition on September 4.
Some provisions of the new constitution will be irreversible, such as the limitation to two successive presidential terms, the method of election by direct universal suffrage, as well as a ban on same-sex marriage.
