By John Ikani
Gabon’s President, Ali Bongo, is proposing a reduction of the presidential mandate from seven years to five.
The move follows consultations in preparation for upcoming elections and measures to prevent violence.
In 2016, the opposition rejected Bongo’s victory and alleged fraud, leading to two days of deadly unrest.
“On the eve of future general elections, I have today decided to set the term of office for all elections to five years,” said Bongo.
The proposed change will require constitutional reform and a vote in parliament.
Currently, there are no constitutional term limits in Gabon.
Bongo succeeded his father, Omar, as president of the oil-producing West African nation in 2009, and has not announced whether he will run for a third term in the 2023 race, for which no exact date has been set.
Consultations on the upcoming elections will continue until Feb. 24.
