As Gabon marked its 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, who chairs the Forum for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) and was a candidate in the August 2023 presidential election, issued an official statement. In his address, he urged all national forces to forge a “National Consolidation Pact.” This initiative is envisioned as a framework designed to unite patriots around Gabon’s most critical priorities.
The concept championed by the FDR president is neither a proposal for power-sharing nor an appeal for the opposition to relinquish its role. Instead, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou seeks to establish a collective commitment among the nation’s diverse stakeholders. “It would, in fact, involve something much simpler, yet simultaneously much more demanding: agreeing on what is essential,” he elaborated.
This proposition emerges amid what Joachim Mbatchi Pambou perceives as a deteriorating public discourse. He specifically laments the transformation of political disagreements into personal animosities and calls upon all actors to re-engage in respectful debate. “We can be political adversaries without becoming enemies. We can disagree without hating each other,” he asserted, imploring his fellow citizens to prioritize “the essential.”
According to Mbatchi Pambou, this “essential” foundation should encompass several national priorities: civil peace and national cohesion, respect for institutions and the rule of law, social justice, the reduction of inequalities, job creation, improved public services, and the local transformation of natural resources.
For the former 2023 presidential candidate, the proposed pact must also help rebuild trust among citizens and institutions, between political figures, and crucially, between Gabon and its diaspora. Specifically, it should facilitate the restoration of national dialogue, define priorities that transcend political transitions, and ensure accountability for commitments made.
Inclusivity
Joachim Mbatchi Pambou’s vision for this initiative extends beyond political actors alone. He proposes a 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 primary goal would be to pinpoint a limited set of national priorities, establish precise commitments, and enable citizens to regularly assess progress.
This responsibility, he contends, should involve all segments of society. The government, in his view, should “listen more and be more accountable,” while the opposition should continue to offer criticism but also constructive proposals. Civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora are also expected to play a vital role in this national dynamic.
Through this proposition, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou advocates moving away from a mindset where every political divergence escalates into confrontation. He believes that Gabon’s development cannot rely solely on its natural resources or potential, but equally on its capacity to maintain national cohesion. “No wealth will ever replace national cohesion. Our primary wealth is our ability to live together,” he concluded.
