Gabon prepares for landmark constitutional referendum

Approximately 800,000 Gabonese voters are set to cast their ballots this Saturday in a pivotal referendum on a new constitution proposed by the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI).

This marks the first major vote since the military assumed power on 30 August 2023.

The campaign leading up to the referendum officially began last Wednesday and will continue until the day before the vote.

In a national address delivered last week, transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema urged citizens to rally behind the proposed constitution, which he described as a step towards greater freedoms, social justice, and transparency.

The draft constitution outlines significant changes to the country’s political framework, including the establishment of a presidential system that eliminates the role of Prime Minister.

It stipulates a seven-year presidential term, renewable only once, and restricts presidential eligibility to candidates born to Gabonese parents.

This referendum is seen as a critical juncture for Gabon, shaping the country’s political landscape and governance structure for years to come.

All eyes are on how the proposed constitutional changes, particularly the concentration of executive power, will influence Gabon’s future political stability and democratic trajectory.