The Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (AU-ECOSOCC) “strongly condemns any act that undermines the stability of democratic institutions in Gabon” and calls on all stakeholders to “respect democratic and constitutional principles.”
Expressing its “deep concern at the military takeover of power in the Gabonese Republic following the recent presidential election,” ECOSOCC, chaired by Moroccan Khalid Boudali, voiced his deep concern at the multitude of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa, and reaffirms its deep commitment to respecting the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, says a press release from the Council received by APA.
Accordingly, ECOSOCC urges the member states of the African Union to respect the Charter and to ensure that the various ongoing and future electoral processes are “inclusive, transparent and credible.”
ECOSOCC called for the peaceful resolution of the crisis and the restoration of constitutional order in Gabon, in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance and other continental and regional instruments, the communiqué said.
In this regard, the Council supports the efforts of the AU and regional institutions and extends its support to the people of Gabon.
Established at the Third Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly in 2004, ECOSOCC aims to promote and defend good governance, democratic principles and institutions, as well as respect for human rights and the dedication to social justice.
HA/lb/abj/APA