Gabon’s transition agreement, as officially published in the gazette, lacks a clear prohibition against General Brice Oligui Nguema, the individual responsible for ousting President Ali Bongo, from running in elections following the transitional period.
The document, reviewed by the BBC, delineates the roles of five key bodies responsible for overseeing the transition:
President of the transition, National Council of the transition, Government of the transition, Parliament of the transition, Constitutional Court of the transition.
Members of these bodies, including the prime minister and the vice-president, are forbidden from participating in the presidential elections that will mark the conclusion of the transition period. The only exception to this prohibition is the president.
General Nguema has pledged to ensure free elections that will lead to a peaceful transfer of power but has not provided a specific timetable for these elections.
Additionally, the agreement grants amnesty to all military personnel who participated in the removal of President Bongo. According to the charter, “Members of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) and all those who took part in the events between August 29, 2023, and the inauguration of the president of the transition, shall enjoy immunity.”