Rights
The 1991 constitution, heavily revised, and the 2023 transition
The 1991 constitution established a semi-presidential republic and has been revised repeatedly, including in 2018 and 2023. Following the August 2023 coup the constitutional order was suspended and a transitional charter governed until a new constitution was approved by referendum in November 2024.
Key rules
- Jurisdiction — The Cour constitutionnelle rules on constitutionality; the Cour de cassation heads the ordinary courts.
- Deadline — Cour constitutionnelle election petition: filed within days of proclamation
- Deadline — Presidential term under the 2024 text: seven years, renewable once
Governing law
- Constitution de la République gabonaise1991, repeatedly revised
- Charte de la transition2023
- Constitution approved by referendum, November 2024
In practice
Gabon's constitutional history is one of formal continuity interrupted in 2023. The 1991 text was amended so often that presidential term limits were removed and restored more than once, and the 2024 referendum constitution reintroduced a two-term limit while abolishing the office of prime minister. Any statement about Gabonese constitutional law must be dated.