Gabon’s transitional government said Thursday that presidential elections would be held on April 12, a key step towards re-establishing civilian rule promised by the ruling junta.Transitional president General Brice Oligui Nguema has ruled the oil-rich country since seizing power in a 2023 coup, ending decades of rule by the Bongo dynasty.Oligiu has vowed to hand the reins back to civilians with elections after a transition period but has also made no secret of his desire to win the presidential race.”Voting will start at 7:00 am and end at 6:00 pm in line with current laws,” government spokesman Seraphin Akure Davain announced Thursday after a cabinet meeting.Ali Bongo ruled Gabon for 14 years until he was overthrown in August 2023 moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election the military and opposition declared fraudulent.The opposition and the military coup leaders accused Ali Bongo’s regime of widespread corruption and poor governance.Ali Bongo had taken office on the death of his father Omar.The small central African state had been ruled by the same family for more than 55 out of its 63 years since independence from France in 1960.- ‘Liberation’ – So far, the timetable for the transition period has been respected.Gabon adopted a new constitution in a November referendum, backed by more than 90 percent of voters.It provided for a maximum of two seven-year presidential terms, no prime minister and no dynastic transfer of power.Another article established a “liberation celebration”, enshrining the junta’s ending of the old regime.A further article exempted from prosecution and conviction “those involved in events” leading up to the junta coming to power.The military regime said it would review the electoral roll this month, three months earlier than planned.On Monday, parliament adopted a new electoral code, allowing military officials to stand in elections, subject to certain conditions.The move worries critics who say it would allow Oligui to run in the presidential race and potentially remain in power.In December, the junta lifted a strict overnight curfew implemented during the Bongo dynasty and that had remained in force since the junta seized power.
Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:41:35 GMT
