ECCAS has expressed its support for the ongoing political transition process in Gabon, while calling for adherence to the timetable for a return to constitutional order and the organization of credible elections by the end of 2025. This position aligns with a regional trend in which Central African states seek to encourage structured transitions rather than prolonged periods of disruption.
Context of the Transition
On August 30, 2023, a military coup led by General Brice Oligui Nguema ended the regime of Ali Bongo Ondimba, resulting in Gabon’s suspension from ECCAS institutions and the temporary relocation of its headquarters. Faced with this institutional crisis, a transitional government committed to a period of approximately 24 months to restore constitutional order, with a return to civilian rule planned for the end of 2025.
Lifting of sanctions and Gabon’s return to ECCAS
In March 2024, the heads of state of ECCAS decided to lift the suspension imposed on Gabon, welcoming “significant progress” towards a return to constitutional order, notably the population’s support for the process and the establishment of a transition timeline. Libreville thus fully resumed its place within the regional organization, putting an end to several months of diplomatic tensions and allowing for the reactivation of political and economic cooperation.
The official position of ECCAS on the transition
In its latest statements, ECCAS emphasizes the “unique nature” of the Gabonese transition while reaffirming a key principle: the maximum duration of 24 months must be respected to avoid a normalization of military power. The organization also emphasizes the need for an inclusive process, supported by national dialogue and a renewed legal framework, to ensure that future elections have unquestionable legitimacy.
Regional support and political roadmap
The ECCAS is supporting the transition through a facilitator and a dedicated roadmap, funded by a special contribution from member states to support mediation, political monitoring, and technical assistance activities. This approach aims to help Gabon adhere to its agenda: an inclusive national dialogue, the drafting of a new Constitution, and then an electoral process running until mid-December 2025, which is intended to mark the official end of the transition.
Implications for stability in Central Africa
For the ECCAS, the way in which the Gabonese transition unfolds will serve as a test case for the future prevention of coups d’état in Central Africa. If the timetable is respected and the elections are deemed transparent, Gabon could become a textbook case of a supervised transition, helping to strengthen the credibility of regional mechanisms for managing political crises.
