Former president Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeded his father Omar in 2009 and maintained political dominance for years through a combination of patronage and repression. He was removed from office by a coup in 2023, which was initially met with widespread support. However, coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema has exerted concerning influence over transitional government business. Significant problems persist, including discrimination against immigrants, marginalization of ethnic minority groups, and legal and de facto inequality for women.

• Oligui’s transitional government launched an Inclusive National Dialogue in April and a Constituent Assembly in September, both of which informed a new draft constitution put to a referendum in December. Transitional authorities selected most participants in the National Dialogue, while the Constituent Assembly was composed of deputies and senators in the transitional parliament, who were reportedly subjected to pressure to approve the draft.
• The draft charter introduced a seven-year presidential term, renewable once, said family members cannot succeed a president, and abolished the post of prime minister. It additionally barred transitional government members from running in the 2025 elections—with the exception of General Oligui, who was widely expected to run for president. The Interior Ministry reported that 92 percent of voters approved the draft constitution in November’s referendum, with turnout reported at 54 percent. Voting was generally peaceful, with no major reports of irregularities.
• The National Assembly in June adopted a new electoral law that gave the Interior Ministry, rather than an independent electoral body, responsibility for conducting elections. The bill had not been enshrined into law at year’s end.
• In August, media reports revealed widespread corruption at the state-run energy and water company, and indicated that individuals behind the scheme had ties to the transitional government. It was unclear whether anyone was held accountable. Separately, Bongo’s wife Sylvia, their son Noureddin, and their senior aides faced corruption charges and remained imprisoned at year’s end. It did not appear that the transitional government was pursuing charges against several other powerful Bongo allies widely regarded as corrupt.
• In September, a 15-year old was arrested after posting a video to social media in which he wiped his buttocks with a t-shirt printed with Oligui’s image. The minor reportedly faced prosecution for “harming the image of the head of state.”

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For additional background information, see last year’s full report.