Gabon: “yes” to the new Constitution wins with 91.8% of the votes

Gabon overwhelmingly approved a new Constitution during the November 16 referendum. According to the Minister of the Interior, Hermann Immongault, the “yes” won with 91.8% of the votes, compared to 8.2% for the “no”. The participation rate was 53.5%.

This fundamental text, presented as a pillar of the democratic transition, establishes a presidential regime. The presidential term will be seven years, renewable once. The president will be able to dissolve the Assembly once per term, while Parliament will have the power to impeach him. The reform also prohibits family succession to the presidency and imposes strict criteria: candidates must be between 35 and 70 years old and born to at least one Gabonese parent.

Led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, president of the transition, this reform comes after the coup d'état of August 2023. The latter overthrew Ali Bongo, whose regime was criticized for mismanagement of oil wealth, leaving a third of the population in poverty.