Title: Gabon: New composition of the transitional Parliament, a contested decision
Introduction :
In Gabon, transitional president Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema recently appointed members of the transitional parliament by presidential decree, sparking mixed reactions. This new composition follows the reduction in the number of deputies and senators, with 98 deputies and 70 senators, compared to 143 deputies and 52 senators previously. This decision has sparked frustration and discontent among political actors, who deplore the imbalance and marginalization of certain parties.
A controversial political composition:
The National Assembly will be led by Jean-François Ndongou, an executive of the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), the former ruling party, while the Senate will be chaired by Paulette Missambo, a political opponent. This political distribution raises questions about the lack of balance and the exclusion of certain political parties. Clay Martial Obame Akue, vice-president of the Coalition of Gabonese Republicans (CGR), expresses his regret regarding the choices made by the president of the transition, stressing that of the 105 political parties present in the country, the CEO managed to obtain 90 members, which leaves little room for other political groups.
Mixed reactions:
Lionel Engonga, founder of the NGO SOS Prisonniers and newly appointed to Parliament, expresses his honor at this appointment, while emphasizing that the CEO’s management has been strongly criticized, which makes their persistent presence in Parliament surprising. For his part, Abel Mbombe Nzondou, candidate in the last presidential election, regrets that the transitional president did not keep his promise to give a role to political actors, in particular former candidates in the presidential election. This situation calls into question the credibility of the transition process.
A symbolic increase in female representation:
A positive note in this new composition of Parliament is the increase in the number of women, from 15 to 24% representation. This increase, welcomed by Pepecy Ogouliguendé of the NGO Malachie, reflects a desire to include more women in the political sphere and to promote gender equality.
Conclusion :
The appointment of members of the transitional parliament in Gabon has sparked mixed reactions. While some welcome the increase in female representation, others denounce the imbalance and exclusion of certain political parties. It is crucial that the political transition in Gabon is carried out in a transparent and inclusive manner, in order to create the conditions necessary for true democratic renewal.