In Gabon, the government on Friday in the Council of Ministers adopted a draft revision of the constitution, the most important amendment of which concerns the President of the Republic, according to a press release published on Saturday, December 19. According to the project adopted by the government, in the event of a vacancy in power, the interim head of state is provided by a university consisting of the presidents of the two chambers of parliament and the minister of defense.
as reported from Libreville, Yves-Laurent Goma
According to the draft adopted by the government, Article 13 of the Constitution sets the new conditions for the President of the Republic on temporary leave. In the current constitution, this power is vested in the President of the Senate. If the government’s plan is finally adopted, the interim head of state will be provided by the president of the senate, the National Assembly and the Minister of Defense.
The government’s plan includes the concept of “temporary inaccessibility” of the President of the Republic. This provision did not exist in the current constitution. We remember that the Constitutional Court two years ago, when President Ali Bongo suffered a stroke, did not declare the vacancy to power. She had mentioned “a temporary inaccessibility” which the opposition strongly questioned.
In the event of temporary unavailability, the same trio will serve as the President of the Republic.
This draft revision could be sent to the parliament, which was dominated by the ruling party.
Another amendment on the reform is adopted: Article 78 provides that once he has resigned, the Head of State may not be tried, searched for, detained or convicted of acts committed during his term of office.
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