Mbatchi pambou advocates for a Gabon national consolidation pact

As Gabon commemorated its 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, President of the Forum for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) and a former candidate in the August 2023 presidential election, issued an official statement calling upon all national stakeholders to forge a ‘National Consolidation Pact’. This initiative is envisioned as a framework designed to rally patriots around Gabon’s most critical priorities.

The concept championed by the FDR president is neither a proposal for power-sharing nor a demand for the opposition to abandon its role. Instead, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou seeks to establish a collective commitment among the nation’s various active forces. “The objective is, in fact, much simpler, yet simultaneously far more demanding: to agree on the essentials,” he elaborated.

This proposition emerges amidst what Joachim Mbatchi Pambou perceives as a decline in public discourse. He particularly laments the transformation of political disagreements into personal confrontations and urges actors to re-engage in respectful debate. “We can be political adversaries without becoming enemies. We can disagree without harboring hatred,” he asserted, imploring his compatriots to prioritize “the essential.”

According to him, this “essential” foundation should encompass several national priorities: civil peace and national cohesion, adherence to institutions and the rule of law, social justice, the reduction of inequalities, job creation, enhancement of public services, and the local processing of natural resources.

For the former 2023 presidential candidate, the proposed pact must also contribute to rebuilding trust between citizens and institutions, among political actors, and between Gabon and its diaspora. Specifically, it aims to revitalize national dialogue, define priorities that transcend political transitions, and ensure accountability for commitments made.

Inclusivity at the core

Joachim Mbatchi Pambou does not intend to limit this endeavor to political figures alone. He proposes a broad dialogue framework that brings together institutions, political forces, civil society organizations, the private sector, trade unions, religious denominations, academics, youth, women, and the diaspora. The ultimate goal is to identify a limited number of pressing national priorities, establish precise commitments, and enable citizens to regularly monitor progress.

This responsibility, he believes, should extend to all segments of society. The government, in his view, should “listen more and be more accountable,” while the opposition should continue to critique but also offer constructive proposals. Civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora would also play crucial roles in this national dynamic.

Through this proposition, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou calls for a departure from a mindset where every political divergence escalates into confrontation. He believes that the country’s development cannot solely rely on its natural resources or potential, but equally on its capacity to preserve national cohesion. “No amount of wealth will ever replace national cohesion. Our primary asset is our collective ability to coexist,” he concluded.