2024 Gabonese constitutional referendum
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A constitutional referendum is scheduled to be held in Gabon on 16 November 2024.[1] The vote is on a new constitution;[2] it proposes, among other things, a 7-year presidential term, renewable once.[3] The referendum may lead to the return to a civilian regime which the military junta promised after the coup d'état in 2023.[4]
Background
[edit]After 54 years of leadership under Omar Bongo and his son, Ali Bongo, the 2023 coup brought about military rule.[5] In September 2024 a draft of the proposed new constitution was handed to transitional president Brice Oligui Nguema.[6] Gabon’s parliamentarians submitted their proposed amendments ahead of a 22 September deadline.[7]
The minister for institutional reform in Gabon, Murielle Minkoue Mintsa, announced the date which the vote will take place – 16 November 2024.[8]
Constitution
[edit]The new constitution includes abolishing the office of prime minister with seven-year term for the President of Gabon limited to two terms.[9] The role of the prime minister would be replaced by a vice president.[10] The official language of Gabon will continue to be French.[11] Mandatory military service may be considered.[11] The new constitution would also outlaw same-sex relations and to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.[12]
The insistence that "only people born to a Gabonese father and mother can run in the presidential election" is controversial among those of mixed heritage.[13] This section is considered to prevent former first lady Sylvia Bongo Ondimba and her son Noureddin Bongo Valentin, both of whom have dual French-Gabonese nationality, from standing.[14]
Conduct
[edit]The provisional government is authorizing international observers to observe the referendum, something that was not permitted for the 2023 Gabonese general election.[15]
References
[edit]- ^ "Journal de l'Afrique - Nouvelle constitution au Gabon, le référendum fixé au 16 novembre". France 24 (in French). 18 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "Au Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema fixe le référendum au 16 novembre - Jeune Afrique.com". JeuneAfrique.com (in French). Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ https://allafrica.com/stories/202410240031.html
- ^ "Gabon to hold referendum on new constitution in November". RFI. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "Gabon takes historic step towards democratic renewal". Africanews. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "Gabon's transitional president handed draft version of future constitution". Africanews. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "Consultations underway on Gabon's future constitution". Africanews. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
- ^ "Oligui Nguema sees basic law referendum as springboard for presidential poll". Africa Intelligence. 22 October 2024.
- ^ "Gabon to hold referendum on new constitution in November". RFI. 20 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Gabon to Vote on New Constitution Okaying Military Ruler in Polls". allAfrica.com. 24 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ a b Wabwireh, Dominic (22 October 2024). "Key details on Gabon's new constitution and upcoming referendum". AfricaNews. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "The President of Gabon Oligui Nguema wants to stay in power - Robert Lansing Institute". 24 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Gabon : pourquoi le projet de nouvelle Constitution fait débat". Le Point (in French). 25 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Au Gabon, le général Brice Oligui Nguema se taille une Constitution sur mesure" (in French). 25 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ "Gabon: la campagne électorale pour le référendum constitutionnel débutera le 7 novembre". RFI (in French). 27 October 2024. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
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