(Commonwealth)_ A Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) has arrived in Libreville, Gabon, to monitor the country’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for 12 April 2025. This election marks a pivotal step in Gabon’s return to constitutional rule following the unconstitutional change of government in August 2023. The eight-member observer team is led by His Excellency Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles, and includes experts in electoral management, law, human rights, and media. Their mission is to assess the election process and evaluate whether it aligns with national laws and international democratic standards, including the core values upheld by the Commonwealth.
The presidential election is viewed as a significant milestone in Gabon’s ongoing democratic transition. In a press statement delivered upon the group’s arrival in Libreville, the COG Chairperson emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting the Gabonese people as they work toward participatory governance. He acknowledged recent progress made by the authorities, including the organisation of the election and the completion of the national inclusive dialogue, both of which demonstrate a serious effort to strengthen democratic institutions.
Another critical moment in Gabon’s democratic journey was the November 2024 constitutional referendum, where a majority of citizens voted in favor of adopting a new constitution. This referendum represented a key turning point, affirming public support for political reform and a renewed commitment to democratic principles. The Commonwealth Expert Team (CET), deployed to observe the referendum, marked the Commonwealth’s first official observation mission in Gabon since the country joined the association in 2022.
Gabon’s relationship with the Commonwealth faced challenges recently. The unconstitutional seizure of power in August 2023 led to the partial suspension of Gabon from the Commonwealth in September 2023. However, the successful constitutional referendum and the scheduled presidential election reflect Gabon’s intention to restore full democratic governance and reintegrate fully into the Commonwealth community.
While in Gabon, the Commonwealth Observer Group will engage with a wide range of stakeholders. These include political parties, civil society organisations, domestic and international election observers, the media, law enforcement agencies, and the diplomatic community. These meetings will provide a broad understanding of the electoral environment, as well as concerns or expectations from various groups involved in the process.
The Observer Group’s work is guided by the Commonwealth’s Revised Guidelines for Election Observation, which outline the mandate to observe and assess the electoral process in a neutral and independent manner. Their scope includes reviewing the pre-election environment, election day procedures, and the post-election period.
Beginning 10 April, the team will deploy in smaller groups to various regions across Gabon. They will observe preparations at the local level, including logistics, security arrangements, and readiness of polling stations. On election day, they will monitor key activities such as the opening of polling stations, the voting process, the closing of polls, vote counting, and the announcement and management of results.
The Observer Group is expected to release a preliminary statement on 14 April 2025, summarising their initial observations regarding the transparency, credibility, and fairness of the election. This will be followed by a more comprehensive final report, which will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey.
Once reviewed, the final report will be shared with Gabonese authorities and relevant institutions and made available to the public. It is expected to include recommendations aimed at supporting democratic consolidation and improving future electoral processes in Gabon.
The presence of the Commonwealth Observer Group highlights the international community’s interest in Gabon’s political progress and its support for a transparent and inclusive election process that reflects the will of the people.
