section_path: Background
section_name: Background
paragraph_text: Background
  
  After 56 years of leadership under Omar Bongo and his son, Ali Bongo, the 2023 coup brought about military rule. In September 2024, a draft of the proposed new constitution was handed to transitional president Brice Oligui Nguema. Gabon’s parliamentarians submitted their proposed amendments ahead of a 22 September deadline.
  
  The minister for institutional reform in Gabon, Murielle Minkoue Mintsa, announced that the referendum would take place on 16 November 2024.