Gabon and ECCAS Draft Roadmap to Return Democracy

Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera has held talks in Libreville with Gabon's new military ruler, General Brice Oligui Nguema. Both leaders agreed to draft a "roadmap" to return to constitutional order, African media has reported.

Touadera visited the country in representation of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

"ECCAS appointed me as a facilitator […] to draft a roadmap enabling a swift return to constitutional order, with the agreement of the interim president," said Touadera as cited by local media.

On Monday, during the swearing-in ceremony, the new 'head of state' promised to preserve the values of democracy, the independence of the homeland, the integrity of the territory of Gabon and the national unity.

"I swear before God and the people of Gabon to preserve the republican regime, respect and abide by the Transitional Charter and the law [...] the constitution is the text that defines the state. It is dedicated to state institutions, procedures. Since its mechanisms can no longer ensure our security, it is very important that Gabonese from all walks of life agree to adopt a new constitution by voting in a referendum," Nguema said during the swearing-in ceremony, as broadcast by Gabonese TV.

He assured that the state institutions would be reorganized and made more democratic.

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According to the Gabonese leader, the military authorities intend to transfer power to civilians through new elections at the end of the transition period.

"After this transitional period, with the help of all Gabonese development partners, we expect to hand over power to the civilians by organizing new elections that are free, transparent and credible," the transitional president claimed.

Earlier in the week, ECCAS announced in a communique that it decided to suspend Gabon’s membership until the return of the constitutional order.

"The Conference [of ECCAS heads of state] decided to suspend, with immediate effect, the participation of the Gabonese Republic in all the activities of the community, until the return to the constitutional order," the statement read.

On August 30, the military in Gabon announced the dissolution of the institutions of power and the nullification of the results of the elections in which, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who has been president since 2009, was earlier declared winner.