Lawmakers in Gabon have convened to initiate discussions on a proposed new constitution, marking the first step toward a return to civilian government following the military coup of 2023. The junta, led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, has pledged to oversee a transition back to civilian rule, starting with the creation of this new framework.
The coup, which ended 55 years of governance by the family of former president Ali Bongo Ondimba, has resulted in proposed constitutional reforms. These include the elimination of the prime minister’s role, limiting the presidency to a single seven-year term, renewable once, and requiring presidential candidates to be the children of Gabonese-born parents. While the government has not officially confirmed these details, they align with a widely circulated draft of the document.
Among the other significant changes believed to be included in the draft are the definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman and the introduction of compulsory military service for citizens. French would remain the country’s official language.
The parliamentary discussions follow a decree published by the military junta on Wednesday, which called for lawmakers to meet until September 22 to refine the draft constitution. These deliberations will shape the final text, which was initially based on over a thousand proposals gathered during a national dialogue held in April 2023.
This constitution marks a crucial phase in Gabon’s two-year transition timetable, with a presidential election scheduled for August 2025. General Nguema has expressed his intention to run in that election. The military had dissolved the previous government and parliament immediately after the coup, replacing them with a transitional legislature comprising 98 deputies and 70 senators.
The final draft of the constitution is expected to be submitted for examination by the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) and the government. A referendum on the constitution is planned before the end of 2024.