A comprehensive consultation known as the National Dialogue is set to bring together all the vital forces of the nation, eight months after the coup d’état and the fall of President Ali Bongo.
The dialogue aims to facilitate the establishment of new institutions, reform the political system, and drive social progress in Gabonese society. Participants are currently being selected, with all political parties, numbering over a hundred, given until this Thursday to submit a list of four representatives. Concurrently, the framework for the dialogue is becoming clearer.
In Gabon, the so-called “popular” phase has just concluded, during which approximately 38,000 contributions were received from Gabonese citizens, providing their diagnoses of the state of the country and proposing solutions. Organizers are now finalizing the selection of participants, with an estimated attendance of around a thousand individuals. The country is home to around a hundred political parties, some of which may lack substantial influence. However, the government has extended invitations to all legally recognized entities.
“We are aware that some parties have been established opportunistically. Nevertheless, what matters is their official recognition. Our objective is not to enforce strict regulations,” remarked one organizer.
The upcoming National Dialogue holds significant promise for Gabon as it embarks on a journey of introspection and transformation. With a diverse array of voices set to converge, it is anticipated that this dialogue will catalyze meaningful change, shaping the nation’s future trajectory.