The Gabonese National Assembly and Senate in recent amendments reduced the term of office of the President of the Republic from seven to five years. The elected bodies also decided that the election of the president should be in one round as against two rounds the case earlier. But opposition parties denounced the change terming it as a ploy for the ruling party to stay in power
The Gabonese National Assembly and Senate in recent amendments reduced the term of office of the President of the Republic from seven to five years. The elected bodies also decided that the election of the president should be in one round as against two rounds the case earlier. But opposition parties denounced the change terming it as a ploy for the ruling party to stay in power. The ruling party has a brutal majority in both houses. The opposition is very weak and fragmented.
These developments are taking place, when the elections are due this August, though the dates are not finalized. Also, the incumbent president has not revealed his candidature for the next election, although the opposition parties believe that he has been creating a ground for re-election. The presidential election will take place along with that of the legislature, and local bodies. The amendments needed in the constitution were brought about by the national assembly and senate by over 85% of votes; more than two-thirds majority necessary. Head of State Ali Bongo Ondimba has been ruling the country for over 13 years since 2009.
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Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, said that the settlement was reached after 10 days of political consultation between the ruling and the opposition in February. However, senior opposition leaders and their parties had dubbed the amendments as stage-managed. They charged the opposition members who voted for the amendments as stooges. Bongo succeeded his father Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled the oil-rich nation of west Africa for 41 years. Ali Bongo, now 64, is generally anticipated to seek re-election. In 2016, he was re-elected by barely 5,500 votes over opponent Jean Ping. There was an allegation of rigging the election. The Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), which he is leading, holds strong majorities in both houses of parliament.
