Last weekend Gabon held its first big vote since the army took control about a year ago. The new rules want to change how the country works after the 50-year Bongo family rule ended
The army-backed plan has some good-looking changes: putting a two-term limit on presidents (7 years each); getting rid of the prime-minister job; and making French the main work language. General Brice Oligui Nguema who runs things now seems happy with how its going
This is something that I note‚ and its positive. A huge step for the transition
The voting places in Libreville (the capital) had a slow-but-steady stream of people coming in. One local named Nziengui said she voted “for my kids future and grand-kids too“
The army took over in mid-2023 which was the 8th time soldiers grabbed power in West-Central Africa since 2020. Big countries want these military rulers to let people vote for new leaders soon; Gabon says it will do this in mid-2025
But some smart-people who watch African politics arenʼt so sure about these changes. While the new rules say temporary leaders cant run for president later General Nguema gets a special pass. A well-known analyst Rukmini Sanyal thinks the army might use its control of courts and voting-places to stay in charge
The voting comes after:
- Omar Bongo ruled for 42 years
- His son Ali ran things for 14 more years
- The army kicked them out last year
The streets have lots of yes-vote signs up‚ and the army says this proves they want to make things better - but theyʼre still keeping their hands on all the important stuff