Does Oligui plan to release the text of the constitution before the referendum?
On November 16, everyone to the polls, it's official! "Yes" or "No"? One question is burning on everyone's lips: why do the Gabonese still not have access to the full text of the new Constitution? Many are asking the question on social networks. A voting date and a campaign for the "Yes" before even a presentation of the text, isn't that unique in the world? How can you vote for or against such a crucial document without knowing the details? Less than a month to discuss such a profound change, is that enough?
A deliberate lack of transparency?
The draft Constitution, although discussed by the government and political authorities, remains in the shadows for all citizens who will be called to the polls. The authorities have launched an awareness caravan to encourage voter participation, as well as a major campaign for the "yes", but without the text being published in full. Brice Oligui himself declared yesterday that "Gabonese people must immerse themselves in the text". But where is this text? This lack of transparency raises questions about the process.
What are the motivations behind this silence?
Several hypotheses emerge to explain this voluntary vagueness:
- Avoid focusing on sensitive issues? Some controversial articles, such as 52 and 53 in the first draft, strengthen presidential power on the one hand (return of the seven-year term), and impose very restrictive eligibility criteria for the presidency (Gabonese grandparents, exclusion of dual nationals, etc.), have already caused an outcry. The government seems hesitant to expose this kind of discriminatory measure to a wider public debate.
- Political unpreparedness? The hypothesis of unpreparedness must also be taken into account. Is the Transitional Government aware of what it is asking of the Gabonese people? To make a decision that will mark the decades to come in just a few days, without an explanation in an educational text? It is already too late!
- Delaying criticism? By delaying publication, the authorities are limiting the time available for the opposition or civil society to organize a real protest campaign, or a simple debate.
- Diverting the underlying question? By not focusing on the text itself but just on a binary “yes/no”, the government is perhaps trying to get citizens to focus on another question: “Are you for or against General Oligui”, or even “Do you want to end the Transition?” (and the curfew…).
A surprise Constitution?
The refusal to make the text accessible to the population before the referendum in any case leaves doubts hanging over the real intentions of the CTRI and the President. With more than 800 amendments discussed by the transitional parliament, the new Constitution seems to reflect the ambitions of a regime centered on a strong executive power, and the delay in publishing the text confirms this direction.
The people of #Gabon are summoned on November 16, 2024 for a Referendum on its Constitution. The Gabonese will have the choice between YES or NO.
— J-Erwan Ndông (@ndong_erwan) October 18, 2024
As soon as I read the Draft Constitution, I will openly share my choice here. #Constitution241
The Gabonese seem concerned. On X, J-Erwan Ndông says that he will share his opinion… As soon as he reads the draft. But when? That is the question. Another Internet user, Val M, seems very concerned. First of all, he states that in a “multiverse”, the text would be available for download, which is obviously not the case in the real universe. He then asks the question of whether the constitution will be officially distributed or whether, like the previous draft, it will only be available on “Whatsapp” channels. Séraphine, another Gabonese, is ironic, saying that we may have the text, but after the constitution . Fleur, another citizen, declares “ We vote, but we don’t know why. To whom, to what? ” On the international journalist side, Jessica Taieb of RFI does not forget to specify “ the draft of the new constitution not yet published will be submitted to a referendum on November 16.”
Will we still have to wait for #whatsapp241 or is there an institution planning to broadcast it? https://t.co/LHx9VeCw3g
— Val M. (@varl_mbarx) October 17, 2024
Will the Gabonese be listened to, will the text be calmly debated, or does the government plan to maintain the vagueness until the end? An answer that will come quickly, given the short time between the announcement of the date and the day of the referendum itself.
We vote but we don't know why! Yes to whom? To what? https://t.co/K4fpYj64VG
— Fleur de Miranda 👑 (@fleur_miranda) October 18, 2024
