Gabon’s new pact for national unity after independence celebrations

As Gabon marks its 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, President of the Forum for the Defence of the Republic (FDR) and 2023 presidential candidate, has called for a nationwide ‘National Consolidation Pact.’ The initiative aims to unite all patriotic forces around the country’s core priorities.

Mbatchi Pambou clarified that this is not about power-sharing or opposition surrender, but rather a collective commitment among the nation’s key stakeholders. « It’s about agreeing on what truly matters, in the simplest yet most demanding way possible », he stated.

His proposal comes at a time when public debate in Gabon has become increasingly polarised. He decried the shift from political disagreements to personal attacks, urging leaders to return to respectful dialogue. « Political rivals can exist without becoming enemies. Disagreements don’t have to breed hatred », he emphasised, stressing the need to focus on ‘what unites us.’

The proposed pact outlines several national priorities, including:

• Preserving civil peace and national cohesion
• Upholding institutions and the rule of law
• Advancing social justice and reducing inequalities
• Boosting job creation and public service efficiency
• Locally transforming natural resources

According to Mbatchi Pambou, the pact should also rebuild trust between citizens and institutions, politicians, and the Gabonese diaspora. It aims to restore national dialogue, set priorities beyond political cycles, and ensure accountability for commitments made.

Inclusivity at the heart of the initiative

Mbatchi Pambou envisions a broad dialogue framework involving political institutions, civil society, the private sector, unions, religious groups, academics, youth, women, and the diaspora. The goal is to identify a concise set of national priorities, define measurable commitments, and track progress transparently.

He stressed that all sectors must contribute: the government should ‘listen more and account more,’ while the opposition should continue to critique and propose solutions. Civil society, businesses, and the diaspora each have a role in shaping this national momentum.

Mbatchi Pambou warned against reducing national development to resource wealth alone, insisting that social cohesion is the true foundation. « No wealth can replace national unity. Our greatest asset is our ability to live together », he concluded.