The curfew imposed in Gabon following the military coup that brought General Brice Oligui Nguema to power in late August 2023 has been lifted on Wednesday.
”This is to allow the population to “celebrate the end-of-year holidays,” according to an official decree.
The decree also emphasised that “defense and security forces are called upon to maintain order and security in compliance with the rule of law.”
This announcement came three days after a controversial “crackdown operation” by the national gendarmerie, which sparked criticism on social media.
Dozens of young people were arrested Saturday night in Libreville for violating the curfew, with some alleging that they had been shaved as part of the punishment. The use of tonsure has been enforced several times since the coup, targeting a teenager who posted a viral video deemed offensive to the president, groups of young people accused of “spreading fear” in Port Gentil, and unionists from the water and electricity company SEEG who had called for a strike over salary issues.
The curfew, which had been eased for several months, was reinforced in early October ahead of the electoral campaign for the referendum on the new constitution, which was widely supported by voters. This tightening during the “entire electoral process” created frustration among night owls and had economic impacts on certain sectors.
By lifting the curfew, “the head of state aims to provide the opportunity for all citizens to celebrate the end-of-year holidays,” according to the decree signed by the defense ministry. “This measure also reflects the Head of State’s ongoing concern to support economic operators in all sectors,” the decree added.
Following the adoption of the new constitution in mid-November, consultations for a revision of the electoral code were opened in preparation for presidential, legislative, and local elections scheduled for 2025, marking the end of the transitional period that began with the overthrow of the Bongo dynasty on August 30, 2023.
General Oligui has promised to restore civilian rule but has not hidden his presidential ambitions.
AFP/TE/lb/as/APA