As Gabon approaches its presidential election on 12 April, tensions are rising across the country, with tribalism, regionalism, and political animosity threatening to undermine the national unity. In response to these growing divisions, a coalition of political parties and associations has unveiled a Charter aimed at promoting peace and good conduct during the election campaign. The document seeks to address the deepening rifts within the country and ensure a more respectful and peaceful electoral process.
The charter, drafted by the Gabonese Patriotic Party and the Gabonese Citizens’ Movement, comes in light of recent incidents that have exacerbated the political climate. Alain Simplice Boungoueré, chairman of the Gabonese Patriotic Party, condemned the rise of tribalism and the formation of political clans, warning that such actions jeopardize national unity.
He pointed to the recent kidnapping of former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, who was barred from holding political meetings in northern cities, as an example of the dangerous direction the country is heading.
The charter calls on all presidential candidates to show respect for their political opponents, refrain from using inflammatory language, and avoid inciting violence or spreading slander.
Boungoueré described the initiative as a non-aggression pact, urging all parties to respect the results of the election and, if contested, to address disputes through authorised legal channels. Copies of the charter have been submitted to the National Council of Democracy, with hopes that all presidential candidates will sign it in an effort to ensure a fair and peaceful election process.