On November 9, as the constitutional referendum of November 16, 2024 approaches, Alexandre Désiré Tapoyo, president of the Reformers’ Movement (Moref), compares this election to a vital intervention for Gabon. He calls on citizens to vote “yes” to preserve the unity and stability of the country, emphasizing the importance of this civic engagement.
The founding president of Moref during his declaration, November 9, 2024. © GabonReview
The founding president of the Reform Movement (Moref), Alexandre Désiré Tapoyo, took a position, on November 9, 2024, in favor of “yes” for the constitutional referendum on November 16 in Gabon. In his speech, he compares this referendum to a medical procedure essential to preserve the country.
“On November 16, 2024, we are each called upon to take our responsibilities, in order to avoid a possible “stroke to our country”. The referendum election is first of all a civic duty, and ignoring it is like ignoring a medical need demanded by our body. The risk is real and can be fatal sooner or later, in one way or another,” declared Alexandre Désiré Tapoyo.
View of the activists. © GabonReview
The president of Moref recalls the particular importance of this election, even if it is not a presidential or legislative election. According to him, this project is decisive for the future of the Gabonese “common house”, because it affects the Basic Law. This text, after revision, now seems more balanced to him than the one which was initially proposed and which he considered to be divisive. He therefore welcomes this effort at moderation: “I was pleasantly relieved to note that the project ultimately adopted by the Council of Ministers was wise, perhaps not enough for some, but in any case far from the one that was served to us at the initial one and which carried the seeds of division and mistreatment of our peaceful and harmonious living together.
Confident in the beneficial effects of this reform, Tapoyo affirms his support: “this is why, in view of this laudable effort, I have decided to vote “yes” and to encourage you to do the same, on November 16” . He also invites members of his party and all citizens to vote to contribute to the stability of Gabon. Although he recognizes that there is still construction work to be done, because no human work is perfect, he remains convinced that it can be improved over time, emphasizing the importance of each person contributing “his or her stone to the building” by participating in the vote.
