Gabon’s military government has announced the overwhelming approval of a new constitution in a recent referendum, based on provisional results released on Sunday.
Interior Minister Anicet-Georges Dologuélé stated on state television that 91.8% of voters supported the charter, with voter turnout at 53.5%.
Led by interim President Brice Oligui Nguema, the junta has framed the new constitution as a critical step toward transitioning to democratic governance, with elections tentatively planned for mid-2025.
The military seized power in August 2023, ousting former President Ali Bongo, whose family had ruled the oil-rich nation for nearly six decades. Despite Gabon’s wealth, years of economic stagnation left one-third of its population in poverty.
Key provisions of the proposed constitution include a two-term presidential limit of seven years per term, the elimination of the prime ministerial role, a ban on dynastic power transfers, and the recognition of French as the official working language.
Presidential candidates must also meet stricter eligibility criteria, including being exclusively Gabonese, having at least one Gabon-born parent, and being married to a Gabonese citizen.
However, the draft does not exclude Nguema from contesting the presidency, sparking concerns among some observers about the junta’s intentions.
The final results are pending validation by Gabon’s Constitutional Court.
