Screenshot The draft Constitution, particularly Article 53, has sent Gabon’s social media into a frenzy. For many, it’s designed to pave the way for Brice Oligui Nguema to remain in power while excluding potential rivals. To qualify for the presidency, candidates must now meet ultra-strict criteria: being born to Gabonese parents, having a Gabonese spouse, and being under 70. This would disqualify opposition heavyweights like Jean Ping and Albert Ondo Ossa, who would have otherwise posed significant challenges.  This tightening of eligibility rules has led to widespread accusations that the Constitution is a political tool, crafted to sideline key opponents. The backlash has been severe. On Twitter, Facebook, and Telegram, Gabonese users are vocal, decrying what they see as an “election locked from the start.”  The Legal World Speaks Up  It’s not just the general public raising the alarm. The Gabon Bar Association’s president expressed concerns during an official hearing, criticizing the lack of involvement from legal professionals in drafting this fundamental document. He also warned that the Constitution fails to uphold crucial defense rights, making it more of an executive power grab than a democratic step forward.  Gabon2025.com: Testing the System  Amidst the outcry, independent observers launched Gabon2025.com, a platform allowing citizens to check if they meet the controversial new eligibility requirements. This test, far from being just a gimmick, reflects the stark reality of the restrictive rules, which include continuous residence for three years and the requirement to speak a local language. Many Gabonese now see this as a blatant attempt to filter out competition and hand Oligui an uncontested path to the presidency.  A Wider Purge: Excluding Big Names  The draft has raised eyebrows for its strictness, likened to the Ivoirité of Côte d’Ivoire, with an emphasis on ultra-nationalist criteria. Figures like Jean Ping, whose father was Chinese, and Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou, aged 72, would be automatically excluded. Even more striking is the elimination of Albert Ondo Ossa, who won the 2023 election but will turn 71 before the next vote, and Omar Denis Bongo, son of Omar Bongo, who also doesn’t meet the new “pure Gabonese” requirement.  The Shadow of Manipulation For critics, it’s clear: Oligui Nguema is pulling the strings. Having taken power through a coup in August 2023, his promises to organize “transparent elections” ring hollow. Despite his claims of a return to civilian rule, his growing personality cult and tight grip on the constitutional process suggest otherwise. Legal experts argue the entire system is being manipulated. From appointing those who wrote the Constitution to overseeing the referendum himself, Oligui appears to be engineering a legal framework that cements his future as Gabon’s de facto ruler.  https://x.com/ivannos_96/status/1838996142018670688  International Concerns  Beyond Gabon, the draft has even sparked reactions from abroad. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara sent an envoy to Libreville, expressing concerns about the implications of this ultranationalist shift. Ouattara’s close friend, Alexandre Barro Chambrier, a key political figure, would also be excluded from future elections under these new rules.  A Rigged Referendum on the Horizon?  As the referendum approaches, the atmosphere remains charged. Few local politicians dare to openly criticize the draft, but Daniel Mengara, a vocal opposition figure, has been particularly blunt, likening the situation to a monarchy. Mengara himself may be excluded from running, as he hasn’t resided in Gabon for the required three years. His scathing comments highlight a growing concern that the entire process, from drafting to referendum, is rigged in Oligui’s favor. In the end, what was once a promise of democratic reform now appears to many as a carefully orchestrated power grab, solidifying Oligui’s hold on the country while giving the illusion of change.   The post Article 53: Tailor-Made for Oligui? Gabon’s Constitution Sparks Fury Online  appeared first on LA Weekly.