Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba has announced a process of dialogue with the opposition on a framework that envisages limiting presidential terms to five years, two years less than under current legislation.
The text was presented at an opening ceremony of the political consultation called by Bongo to promote transparent political elections despite the reluctance of the opposition, which this Monday lamented the absence, already expected, of European Union observers in the country’s next general elections, scheduled for this year, reports broadcaster RFI.
The ceremony was attended by the vast majority of the country’s political leaders, both supporters of Bongo and the opposition, but there was only one speech, that of the president.
The package presented by Bongo includes, besides the limitation of presidential mandates, the reduction of senators’ mandates to six years. However, it is not clear whether there will be a limitation of consecutive mandates, since at present deputies, senators and also the president can run for reelection as many times as he wants.
To participate in the consultation process, both the opposition and the government majority must submit a list of 30 members by tomorrow, Tuesday. The representatives will work for ten days in a tent erected on the esplanade of the Ministry of Defense, right next to the presidential palace.
Once this period is over, the agreed recommendations will be presented and implemented, said Bongo, who apologized to civil society, religious organizations, trade unions and other actors for not being invited to this process. Meetings will be organized for them so that they can express their concerns.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
