Over the past two years, Gabon has undergone a transition marked by political, institutional and social upheaval. The coup d’état of 30 August 2023 paved the way for a restructuring of the national landscape, followed by the Inclusive National Dialogue in April 2024, which enabled stakeholders to debate and propose reforms. The constitutional referendum of 16 November 2024 redefined the legal framework of the Fifth Republic, while the presidential election of 12 April 2025 marked a key step in Gabon’s democratic rebuilding.
However, assembly rights have been further eroded by the June 2025 political party law, which requires a 12,000-member threshold and nationwide presence, criteria that disproportionately exclude emerging movements. It also allows for the suspension of parties in cases of “disturbance of public order,” a vague concept open to interpretation. The case of Jean Rémy Yama’s National Party for Labour and Progress illustrates these concerns: denied recognition, its public gatherings were banned or dispersed, and activists detained under vague public order pretexts. Although presented as a way to structure the political landscape, these provisions are seen as barriers to entry into the public sphere for emerging or critical movements.
As Gabon prepares for legislative and local elections, CSOs continue to play an essential role in raising public awareness, promoting dialogue and supporting reforms for stability, governance and democratic consolidation.