The legislation, adopted this week, introduces new rules governing the formation of political parties and the distribution of parliamentary seats across the country.

One of the most notable changes is a new requirement for the creation of a political party: aspiring groups must now gather at least 12 000 signatures, each accompanied by a Personal Identification Number, before being formally recognised.

While the government insists the reforms are necessary to strengthen governance and accountability, critics argue the new rules could hinder political pluralism.

Yvan Dissuly, a prominent member of Gabon’s civil society, voiced concern over the reforms: “This move risks shrinking the democratic space in Gabon. These conditions are extremely demanding, especially in rural areas where access to identification documents remains limited.”

The second bill passed by the Assembly outlines a revised method for allocating seats in the National Assembly and the Senate, aimed at achieving more balanced regional representation. However, the details of the new distribution have not yet been made public.

Political parties have been given a six-month deadline to bring their operations in line with the new laws.

Dissuly warned that the timeframe may be unrealistic; “It’s not just about paperwork. Many parties will struggle to meet these requirements, which could ultimately limit citizens’ freedom to associate and express political views.”

The new measures come amid wider institutional reforms being rolled out by the transitional authorities, who came to power following last year’s political upheaval.

--ChannelAfrica--