LIBREVILLE: Gabon’s military-installed Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima has unveiled plans for a “national dialogue” to be organized next year, with the aim of drafting a new constitution.
Sima, who took office nearly a month after military leaders removed President Ali Bongo Ondimba following his 14-year tenure, announced that an appeal for contributions to this dialogue would be launched next week.
In a recent address to the United Nations, Ndong Sima defended the military’s intervention as a “lesser evil” that prevented bloodshed. The coup leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, pledged to return the country to civilian rule through elections, although no specific timeline has been provided.
Ndong Sima emphasized that contributions and ideas would be solicited from all segments of the population, setting the stage for a national dialogue expected to occur between April and June. He stressed the importance of citizen engagement in discussions related to political system reforms and institutional changes.
Public Input in Gabon National Dialogue
The public will have between 45 and 60 days to provide their input, which will then be compiled into a summary document serving as the basis for the national dialogue. Subsequently, a “constituent assembly” will be convened to draft a new constitution that reflects the dialogue’s outcomes.
The prime minister expressed his intention to present a summary document by the end of January. The timeline for transitioning from military to civilian governance will be determined during the national dialogue, with Ndong Sima emphasizing the need to avoid prolonged military rule.
Raymond Ndong Sima, a French-educated economist who previously served as prime minister under President Bongo, outlined this comprehensive roadmap toward political reform and the return to civilian leadership in Gabon.
