Event Summary
On 16 December 2025, Gabon proceeded with the first phase of establishing the first Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council (CESEC) of the 5th Gabonese Republic, namely the election of councillors by their peers, in accordance with the transition timetable. When the procedure for organising the elections of councillors was published; civil society organisations (CSOs), united in a coalition under the leadership of the Network of Independent Civil Society Organisations in Gabon, identified a procedural flaw. They pointed out that the provisions of Articles 145 to 154 of the Constitution had been respected, but those of the organic law of the Council had not. According to the CSO coalition, the decree issued by the Ministry of Institutional Reform could not replace the organic law, particularly with regard to the distribution of seats within the future Council.
While commending the authorities for adhering to the transition timetable, the CSOs had insisted on the need to ensure compliance with the legal and regulatory framework. They approached the Minister for Institutional Reform to propose an approach that would comply with the texts in force; the leaders of the coalition were invited to two working meetings with the ministry, which led to the adoption by the Council of Ministers of a draft organic law on the internal organisation and operating rules and appointment of members of the CESEC and a draft decree setting out the procedures for appointing members of the CESEC.
This event, which concerns all groups representing civil society, is part of the transition process that began in the aftermath of the fall of the Bongo-PDG political regime on 30 August 2023. Similar events that took place during the year include presidential, legislative and local elections, with the gradual phasing out of transitional institutions and a return to constitutional order in accordance with the transition timetable set at the outset. The establishment of the first CESEC of the Fifth Gabonese Republic is of crucial importance for civil society, which now intends to use this forum to defend its interests and those of the population, hence its plea for the institution to be chaired by a senior figure from its ranks.