Gabonese President Ali Bongo congratulated the participants in the political consultation on Thursday for having followed his various instructions given on February 13, at the opening of the work.
“On February 13, we were all here, together. Majority and opposition. Opposition and majority. Gathered for the same purpose: to define, in a spirit of consensus, ‘the bases for the preparation of polls in the peaceful aftermath' », declared the Head of State in a speech delivered at the closing ceremony of the consultation, the February 23.
“I had given you for this purpose, several instructions” which were respected, he continued. The president had recommended “to complete the work in ten days maximum in order to be able to give the necessary time to the government and to the Parliament to do their part of the work and to allow the elections to be held on time.
Just as he had asked the leaders of the political parties of the majority and the opposition not to disperse, but to « focus on issues related to the elections », given that « the other subjects, economic and social , will soon give rise to another consultation ».
Other instructions consisted of « showing sincerity », « being constructive », « prohibiting invective and animosity », and « formulating proposals, concrete, pragmatic and operational recommendations which are the result of consensus”.
“Your work was carried out with great dignity. It is a very beautiful image of the policy that you have given to our fellow citizens. I’m proud of it. The Gabonese are proud of it. All of you here can be proud of that!” he said.
Regarding the recommendations, Ali Bongo told the participants that “following the work of high quality and great dignity, you have made many proposals. Proposals likely to allow Gabon to hold elections in peace and serenity. These proposals are the result of concessions made on both sides. They are stamped with the seal of mutual respect between the Majority and the Opposition”.
“This is democracy. Respect by the majority of the opposition. And respect by the opposition of the majority. Because no offense to some (…), politics is not a fight, a war where all shots would be allowed. On the contrary, in my conception, politics is a way of creating consensus to shape a common future. This consultation is a perfect example of this,” he added.
The Head of State promised that “the proposals (…) formulated, will, in strict compliance with the rules, be transcribed into our positive law, in the form of laws or others” and “a monitoring committee will be set up” with the aim of “ensuring that (…) all proposals are taken into consideration; and ensure that no (…) proposal is distorted”.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1063 of 02/25/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
