Gabon: Gabonese people vote massively for a new Constitution

High turnout for a “historic day”

This Saturday, November 16, 2024, the Gabonese people participated in a referendum aimed at adopting a new Constitution, drawn up under the authority of the military regime led by General Brice Oligui Nguema. According to figures broadcast by the public channel Gabon 24, the participation rate reached “more than 70%”, making this day a moment described as “historic” by the authorities.

The Interior Ministry said turnout exceeded 71%, while initial results from polling stations abroad showed a clear lead for the “yes” vote, a symbol of support for the constitutional project. This text, according to its supporters, should allow the country to turn the page on the Bongo era and open a new political era.

Voting process

The 2,835 polling stations opened at 7 a.m., although some experienced delays. They closed at 6 p.m., immediately followed by the counting and centralization of the results at the Interior Ministry, which is responsible for supervising the process.

Opponents of the bill denounce the constitution as being tailor-made for General Oligui Nguema, criticizing its potential to further consolidate the military regime’s power. On the other hand, supporters of the text defend the idea of ​​a crucial step forward to stabilize the country and prepare its return to democratic order.

Expected results and next step

The Interior Ministry has assured that provisional results will be published “as soon as possible,” although no specific date has yet been communicated. If the text is adopted, it will allow for a presidential election scheduled for August 2025, marking the end of the military transition that began after the 2023 coup that ended 55 years of rule by the Bongo dynasty.

Conclusion: A decisive step for the future of Gabon

This referendum represents a turning point for Gabon, an opportunity for the country to redefine itself politically after decades of dynastic rule. If the “yes” vote prevails, it will pave the way for a more formal transition to democratic institutions, although significant challenges remain in restoring full political and economic stability.