• About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
Friday, July 4, 2025
  • Login
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2DNew
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships
No Result
View All Result
The Vaultz News
No Result
View All Result

Gabon Holds Referendum to End Dynastic Rule

November 16, 2024
Lawrence Ankutseby Lawrence Ankutse
in Africa
0
Gabon Holds Referendum to End Dynastic Rule

A voter casts her ballot at a polling station in Libreville, Gabon, on November 16, 2024

Gabonese are voting in a pivotal referendum on Saturday, marking a major step in the country’s bid to establish democratic rule following last year’s military ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba. 

The proposed constitution aims to implement sweeping changes to prevent dynastic leadership and set clear presidential term limits, ending over five decades of Bongo family rule in the oil-rich Central African nation.

Approximately 860,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots, deciding on a draft charter that promises significant political reforms. The adoption of the new constitution requires more than 50 percent of the votes.

RelatedPosts

Peace Talks Resume In Congo Conflict

UN Report Links Rwanda To M23 Presence

Tanzania’s Prime Minister Majaliwa Steps Down

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the transitional president who spearheaded the coup in August 2023, urged voters to embrace the changes. “We have a date with history,” Nguema wrote on social media, sharing a photo of himself in civilian clothing, holding his voting card. 

He has consistently promoted the draft charter as a symbol of the military’s pledge to return Gabon to civilian rule.

Military Leader Eyes 2025 Presidential Bid

General Nguema has pledged to restore civilian governance after a two-year transitional period, but he has made no secret of his ambition to run in the presidential election scheduled for August 2025. 

The current referendum is seen as a key step toward stabilizing the nation after the abrupt end of Bongo’s 14-year tenure, which began in 2009 following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who had governed since 1967.

Ali Bongo was removed from office mere hours after being declared the winner in an election widely criticized by the military and opposition for alleged fraud. The military intervention was celebrated by many citizens as a long-awaited opportunity for reform.

The new constitution, if approved, will introduce a seven-year presidential term with a two-term limit, replacing the current system of renewable five-year terms without restrictions. 

The changes also include eliminating the prime minister’s position and designating French as the country’s working language. Crucially, the proposed constitution will ban family succession to the presidency — a direct response to Gabon’s long-standing dynastic rule.

Mixed Reactions Amid Calls for Change

Supporters of the new constitution believe it will pave the way for democratic progress. Nathalie Badzoko, a 33-year-old civil servant, shared her optimism: “I am voting ‘yes’ because I trust the military government,” she said, although she admitted she hadn’t read the full document containing 173 articles.

However, critics argue that the charter could consolidate power in the hands of the interim leader. “We are creating a dictator who designs the constitution for himself,” Marlene Fabienne Essola Efountame, a lawyer, remarked during a televised debate last Sunday.

Nguema’s ties to the previous administration have also drawn scrutiny. The interim president, who is a cousin of Ali Bongo, previously served as a bodyguard for Omar Bongo and led the elite Gabonese Republican Guard.

Ali Bongo
Ali Bongo

Voting in the capital, Libreville, got off to a delayed start at several polling stations, including the Lycee Leon M’Ba school. Ballot papers — green for “yes” and red for “no” — were still being distributed when the polls opened at 7 a.m. (06:00 GMT). The nation’s 2,835 polling stations are expected to close at 6 p.m. (17:00 GMT), with results to be announced by the constitutional court.

Despite Gabon’s membership in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the nation’s oil riches have historically benefited only a select few. According to the World Bank, nearly 40 percent of Gabonese youth aged 15 to 24 were unemployed as of 2020.

As voters line up to decide the fate of the proposed charter, the outcome could signal a new era for Gabon, shifting the trajectory of a country long overshadowed by political continuity and concentrated wealth.

READ ALSO: Lordina Mahama Visits Manhyia Palace Ahead of 2024 Presidential Elections

Tags: Bongo familydemocratic reformGabon referendumMilitary Governmentpresidential term limits
Please login to join discussion
Previous Post

Ayo Makun Humbled as He Bags Box Office King Award

Next Post

NPP Condemns NDC’s Attack On Kufuor, Demands Apology

Sign up for The Vaultz analytic wire

Get weekly news analysis from top editors at The Vaultz and stay informed on trending economic and business issues from across the globe.

Related Posts

Corbyn And Sultana Plan New Left Party
UK

Corbyn And Sultana Plan New Left Party

July 4, 2025
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President, Donald Trump have a heated exchange.
Europe

Trump, Zelenskyy Agree To Strengthen Ukraine’s Air Defences

July 4, 2025
President John Mahama on peace after election
General News

Mahama Calls for Action on Peace Amid Ghana’s Global Decline 

July 4, 2025
Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Seth Twum-Akwaboah
Vaultz Business

Business and Investor Confidence Rebounding in Ghana – AGI

July 4, 2025
Thomas Partey
Sports

Thomas Partey Charged With Rape

July 4, 2025
Lil Win Targets Global Fame with New Movie
Entertainment

Lil Win Targets Global Fame with New Movie

July 4, 2025
Corbyn And Sultana Plan New Left Party
UK

Corbyn And Sultana Plan New Left Party

by Lawrence AnkutseJuly 4, 2025
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President, Donald Trump have a heated exchange.
Europe

Trump, Zelenskyy Agree To Strengthen Ukraine’s Air Defences

by Comfort AmpomaaJuly 4, 2025
President John Mahama on peace after election
General News

Mahama Calls for Action on Peace Amid Ghana’s Global Decline 

by Lilian AhedorJuly 4, 2025
Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Seth Twum-Akwaboah
Vaultz Business

Business and Investor Confidence Rebounding in Ghana – AGI

by Stephen M.CJuly 4, 2025
Thomas Partey
Sports

Thomas Partey Charged With Rape

by Evans Junior OwuJuly 4, 2025
Lil Win Targets Global Fame with New Movie
Entertainment

Lil Win Targets Global Fame with New Movie

by Esther Korantemaa OffeiJuly 4, 2025
Corbyn And Sultana Plan New Left Party
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President, Donald Trump have a heated exchange.
President John Mahama on peace after election
Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Seth Twum-Akwaboah
Thomas Partey
Lil Win Targets Global Fame with New Movie
[/vc_row_inner]

Recent News

  • Corbyn And Sultana Plan New Left Party
  • Trump, Zelenskyy Agree To Strengthen Ukraine’s Air Defences
  • Mahama Calls for Action on Peace Amid Ghana’s Global Decline 
  • Business and Investor Confidence Rebounding in Ghana – AGI
  • Thomas Partey Charged With Rape
The Vaultz News

Copyright © 2021 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Top Stories
  • News
    • General News
    • Education
    • Health
    • Opinions
  • Economics
    • Economy
    • Finance
      • Banking
      • Insurance
      • Pension
    • Securities/Markets
  • Business
    • Agribusiness
    • Vaultz Business
    • Extractives/Energy
    • Real Estate
  • World
    • Africa
    • America
    • Europe
    • UK
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Around the Globe
  • Innovation
    • Technology
    • Wheels
  • Entertainment
  • 20MOBPL2D
  • Jobs & Scholarships
    • Job Vacancies
    • Scholarships

Copyright © 2021 The Vaultz News. All rights reserved.