Gabon’s recently appointed prime minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, who assumed office following a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo, has announced plans for a “national dialogue” scheduled for next year. This dialogue is expected to pave the way for the development of a new constitution for the country.
At a press conference held almost a month after the coup d’état, Ndong Sima emphasised that an invitation for contributions to the national dialogue would be issued next week. He stressed the importance of engaging diverse voices in this process, stating, “Everyone has something to say. Men, women, old people, young people, people in housing estates, people in towns, in villages, everyone has an opinion and that’s normal.”
Ndong Sima outlined his goal of compiling a summary of these contributions by the end of January, which would serve as the foundation for the national dialogue, tentatively scheduled to occur between April and June.
He explained the urgency of this timeline, pointing out that a prolonged transition under military command is not sustainable for a civil society that adheres to the principles of institutional bodies. General Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of the coup and the current transitional president, has pledged to return the country to civilian rule and hold elections after a transitional period. However, no specific timeframe has been provided for this transition.
The coup marked the end of nearly six decades of Bongo family rule in Gabon, a period characterised by widespread discontent due to the perceived unequal distribution of the country’s oil wealth. Ndong Sima, a French-educated economist and vocal critic of Ali Bongo, had previously served as prime minister from 2012 to 2014 before resigning. He also ran against Ali Bongo in the 2016 presidential elections and participated as part of an opposition coalition in this year’s elections.