Gabon's military leaders push new rules while keeping power grip
Gabon votes on new laws that limit future presidents to two seven-year terms and remove prime minister role. Military rulers promise democratic change but keep special rights for their current leader
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
