Gabon's new constitution draft approved by at least 90% of citizens in referendum

More than 90% of Gabon residents approved the draft of the country's new constitution during the referendum. This was reported by RFI radio station on Sunday, November 17, citing the Interior Minister of the Central African country Erman Immongo.

According to the radio station, 91.8% of the referendum participants voted in favor of the new constitution, while the remaining 8.2% voted against it. The turnout amounted to about 53%.

French will be declared the state language if the draft Constitution is adopted. Marriage will be possible only between two persons of the opposite sex.

If the draft Constitution is adopted, the next stage will be the holding of presidential elections, scheduled for August 2025, which should be the end of the transition period.

Gabon's coup took place on Aug. 30 after President Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba was re-elected for a third term. The military declared the election results annulled and removed the politician from power.

The rebel leader, General Brice Oligie Nguema, promised to reorganize the country's institutions of power and make them more democratic.