Gabon

For decades, Gabon's political landscape was dominated by the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG). Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled from 1967 until his death in 2009, established a single-party state. His son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, succeeded him but in August 2023, Gabon’s President Ali Bongo was deposed with power transferring to Gabon’s Committee for the Transition and Institutional Restoration (CRTI). Following a National Dialogue in April 2024, a Constituent Assembly will be formed, leading to a new constitution, referendum, and eventual elections.  

In early 2024 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening (CEPPS) fielded an assessment team to Gabon to identify needs and opportunities for international assistance to support a genuine democratic transition, led by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES). Following this field mission and considering Gabon’s current political context, USAID awarded the Program for Gabon Democratic Foundations from November 27, 2024 to November 26, 2027.  

 Under this program, IFES will primarily partner with the Ministry of Interior, currently responsible for administering elections, to enhance its capacity to contribute to responsive reforms and manage credible transitional elections.