A tailor-made constitution for Oligui? The controversy surrounding Article 53

Since the presentation of the draft of the new Constitution, a heated debate has shaken the Gabonese political scene. At the heart of this controversy is Article 53 , which redefines the eligibility criteria for the presidency, and for many, these rules seem tailor-made to favor Brice Oligui Nguema , head of the transition.

Article 53: a lock for the presidency?

Article 53 imposes strict criteria for running in the presidential election: one must be born to a Gabonese father and mother, have a Gabonese spouse, and not exceed the age of 70. These restrictions effectively exclude several influential political figures, such as Jean Ping , whose father was Chinese, or Albert Ondo Ossa , who will be 71 before the next election. Many see this maneuver as a way to lock the presidential race in favor of Oligui Nguema, excluding many serious opponents from the political landscape​ (

The reaction of social networks

Gabonese people have not remained silent in the face of what they perceive as constitutional manipulation. On Twitter, Facebook and other platforms, hashtags such as #53nuancesdedictature and #FarceConstitutionnelle are multiplying, expressing growing anger. Criticism is rife: “A new Constitution for the same power!” exclaims one user on a popular forum, illustrating the general frustration.

A call for international vigilance

The situation in Gabon is not only being monitored at the national level. International organizations and human rights defenders are concerned about this transition to a system perceived as increasingly authoritarian. The constitutional changes are seen as an attempt to keep the military elite in power while creating an illusion of democracy​ (

Gabon2025.com: a controversial eligibility test

Faced with this crisis of confidence, an independent website, Gabon2025.com , was launched. This site allows Gabonese to test their own eligibility for the presidency according to the drastic criteria of Article 53. By exposing these rules, the creators of the site intend to denounce what they consider to be a democratic masquerade. For many, this initiative has become a symbol of resistance against a locked election​ (

The uncertain future of the constitutional project

As the referendum date approaches, calls for protests are growing. Some activists and opponents predict that this constitution, if adopted, could mark the beginning of a new authoritarian era under the guise of electoral legitimacy. For many, Gabon's future seems more uncertain than ever, caught between the desire for change and the fear of seeing power tighten even further.

The debate on Article 53 and the new Constitution has only just begun, and it is clear that the Gabonese people have not had their last word.