Gabon’s transitional leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, faces a set of recommendations following a month-long national consultation aimed at paving the way for a return to civilian rule.
A key proposal – and one likely to spark controversy – is the temporary suspension of all political parties.
Oligui, who seized power in a coup last August, oversaw the National Inclusive Dialogue (DNI) which brought together nearly 700 participants representing various segments of Gabonese society.
The DNI’s proposals were presented to Oligui on Tuesday and included a complete suspension of political parties until new regulations governing their operations are established.
The recommendations also singled out the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) of ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, calling for a three-year immediate suspension and investigations into its leadership.
The military, which justified the coup by accusing Bongo’s regime of corruption and electoral fraud, continues to hold significant power in the transitional government.
While the DNI’s recommendations are not binding on Oligui, the proposals were met with mixed reactions.
Calls to suspend all parties were met with cheers, while a suggestion to potentially extend military rule for another year also received applause.
Oligui has previously expressed his intention to run in the upcoming presidential election, scheduled for August 2025, marking the end of the military’s promised two-year transition.
The inclusion of PDG members in the DNI and continued presence of party figures in government positions raise questions about the potential for a truly inclusive path towards civilian rule.
