The Transitional Parliament in Gabon finally in office
After long waits and several legal obstacles, the Transitional Parliament in Gabon will finally be able to take office. The deputies and senators, appointed on October 6 by decree of the President of the Transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguéma, were awaiting approval from the Constitutional Court to be able to begin their legislative work. However, referrals filed with the Court delayed their installation, raising serious concerns about the smooth running of the political transition.
The applicants had raised several contentious points concerning appointments within the Transitional Parliament. They had notably denounced a violation of the Transition charter, which originally provided for a limited number of deputies and senators. A revision of this charter was then carried out by the members of the bureau of the two houses of Parliament, thus adding more representatives. The applicants contested this revision, deeming it non-compliant and accusing certain parties of being over-represented while others were completely excluded.
The decision of the Constitutional Court was therefore eagerly awaited, because it constitutes the first significant action since the departure of Marie-Madeleine Mborantsuo, who was at the head of this institution for more than thirty years. The Court ultimately found the referrals admissible on the form, but rejected them on the merits, citing non-compliance with legal procedures. Indeed, the law requires that referrals be accompanied by a copy of the contested act, which was not respected by the applicants.
This decision marks a relief for the 98 deputies and 70 senators of the Transition, who will now finally be able to begin exercising their functions. It is also an important step in the political transition process in Gabon, which aims to guarantee stability and national cohesion after last year’s controversial presidential elections.
There are still many challenges to overcome for the Transition in Gabon, particularly on the political, economic and social levels. However, the installation of Parliament constitutes a significant step forward and a positive signal for the future of the country. Deputies and senators will now be able to work on the development and adoption of laws that meet the needs and expectations of the Gabonese population.
In conclusion, the entry into office of the Transitional Parliament in Gabon represents a major step forward in the ongoing political transition process. Despite the legal obstacles encountered, deputies and senators will now be able to work for the development and stability of the country. But it is important to emphasize that the Transition cannot be considered complete, and additional efforts will be necessary to consolidate democracy and face the challenges that arise.