Gabon: Presidential candidates commit to International IDEA’s code of conduct for electoral process

March 31, 2025 • By Lussyla Nze

Five candidates expressed their commitment to signing the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance's Voluntary Code of Conduct.

As part of the support for the political transition towards peaceful, inclusive and transparent elections, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) organized a signing ceremony for a Voluntary Code of Conduct by the candidates for the presidential election.

Five candidates expressed their commitment to signing this Code of Conduct, thus demonstrating their willingness to conduct a respectful and fair electoral campaign. The adherence to this code was overseen by seven Moral Guarantors, namely:

Reverend Béni NGOUA MBINA
Monsignor Ruffin NGOUBOU, Vicar General, Representative of the Archbishop of the Catholic Church of Gabon
Antoine EKOBO, Representative of the King of the BENGA tribe
Pascal MESSA ASSEKO, Representative of the President of the Association of Evangelical Churches of Gabon
Pastor Gaspard OBIANG
Dr Mohammad Abdallah ASSOUMOU MBO, Imam of the Higher Council for Islamic Affairs
Honorine NGOU, President of the Alliance of Christian Women for Peace

The event took place on 27th March 2025, and brought together key political actors, representatives of civil society, and international partners. The ceremony was held in the presence of government officials, and the diplomatic corps accredited in Gabon, emphasizing the significance of this commitment.

This official signing is the result of a previously held high level mission in Gabon, led by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union High Representative for the Silence of Arms in Africa. Including H.E. Mrs. Bintou Djibo, Former United Nations Resident Coordinator and H.E. Dr. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Botswana.

The high-level mission aimed at presenting the code of conduct to the head of democratic institutions such as the President of the Constitutional Court, the President of the Transitional Senate, the President of the Transitional National Assembly, the Secretary-General of the Presidency and other governmental institutions. In addition to bilateral consultations, the mission held focus groups and dialogue in plenary sessions with political parties and civil society organizations for inclusive feedback on the code of conduct.

This mission reinforced the trust between International IDEA and Gabonese stakeholders met. All stakeholders involved expressed their support for this initiative, leading to a well-received signing of the code of conduct.

The Code of Conduct is based on a moral and ethical commitment from the candidates to respect the rules of good conduct during the electoral period, highlighting the principles of peace, integrity and respect for democratic institutions.