Press release - The Gabon2025 Collective accuses the transitional president of having modified the constitution after the referendum

Transitional President Oligui Nguema betrayed and violated the constitution by secretly modifying the text between the referendum and its publication in the official journal

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Libreville, January 5, 2025 — The Gabon 2025 Collective alerts the national and international community to an unprecedented attack on democratic principles and popular sovereignty in Gabon. The President of the Transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, amended, behind closed doors, the text of the Constitution adopted by referendum on November 16, 2024, before its official publication in the Official Journal.

A betrayal of the popular will

On December 4, 2024, in his post-referendum speech, President Oligui Nguema declared: “This new Constitution marks a conclusive step in our Transition process. It lays the foundations of a fairer, more equitable State.”

However, this promise of transparency has been seriously reneged on, adding to the numerous testimonies of torture reported in the country in recent weeks. The text finally published in the Official Journal differs from the initial text submitted to the referendum, thus undermining the popular will.

The Gabon 2025 Collective discovered these changes by carefully comparing the version adopted by referendum with the one published in the Official Journal. A detailed report was prepared and made public on the websitewww.gabon2025.com , providing details of the altered passages, accompanied by the two versions of the text for consultation.

Among the unconsulted changes

• Article 28: Removal of fundamental civic duties for the protection of public property.
• Article 46: Expansion of the powers of the interim president, creating a high risk of abuse of power.
• Article 93: Reduction of parliamentary control over the ratification of international agreements.
• Article 164: Simplification of constitutional revision procedures, weakening the principle of separation of powers.
• Article 168: Weakening of institutional control mechanisms, leaving room for possible authoritarian excesses.

An unprecedented act on the international scene

Never in history has a Constitution adopted by referendum been rewritten before its promulgation. These amendments seriously undermine the legitimacy of the institutions.
This secret and unilateral revision of the constitutional text undermines the very foundations of democracy.
Never before has a Constitution adopted by referendum been amended in this way without the knowledge of the citizens, even before its official promulgation.
Gabon today finds itself on the brink of dangerous institutional instability, which threatens not only the functioning of the state, but also the country's credibility on the international scene.

Call for National and International Mobilization

Faced with this alarming situation, the Gabon 2025 Collective calls for:

1. The international community - in particular the African Union, the United Nations and international NGOs - to firmly condemn these acts contrary to democratic principles and to put pressure on the Transitional regime to reinstate the initial referendum text.
2. Foreign embassies in Gabon — to demonstrate their support for the Gabonese people and demand respect for the rule of law.
3. Gabonese and African citizens - to remain mobilized and vigilant, exercising their right to information, to defend popular sovereignty and prevent any authoritarian drift.

A Democratic Future Under Threat

Without immediate rectification, these changes risk provoking lasting distrust of institutions and weakening the political fabric. Recent history shows that the deterioration of democratic principles can lead to major unrest and an irreversible loss of confidence in the state apparatus.

The Gabon 2025 Collective urges national and international public opinion to redouble its vigilance and to support the Gabonese population in its quest for transparency, justice and respect for fundamental rights.

The Gabon 2025 Collective is currently studying the various possible appeal scenarios and has not ruled out taking action itself to defend the popular will and preserve the rule of law in Gabon.