Gabon's EPG party challenges nationality code before Constitutional Court
via Gabon Review1 min read
The Ensemble pour le Gabon EPG party announced on April 23, 2026, that it has filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court to contest Ordinance No. 004/PR/2026 of February 26, 2026, concerning the Nationality Code. The party, led by former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who is currently in pre-trial detention, argues that the ordinance undermines the principle of equality among citizens and risks creating national division. EPG states that the ordinance introduces an unprecedented differentiation among Gabonese citizens and contradicts fundamental constitutional principles. The party emphasizes that Gabonese nationality is "one and indivisible" and views any categorization attempt as a serious deviation incompatible with the rule of law. EPG warns that the text could lead to a "lasting fracture within the Nation" by opposing Gabonese citizens on grounds contrary to republican unity. The party calls on national stakeholders and the international community to remain vigilant. According to current provisions, the appeal to the Constitutional Court automatically suspends the ordinance's application until the court renders its decision.
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The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation announced its plan to establish a presence in Gabon by December 2026. This announcement was made by Charles Oula Siehe, Special Advisor for Africa to the Foundation, following a meeting with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Paris on July 22. President Nguema, who was on a state visit, gave his agreement in principle for the initiative. The Foundation's installation aims to support Gabon's environmental preservation and sustainable development policies, aligning with the country's environmental ambitions. It is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Libreville and the Principality of Monaco and support projects that improve the living conditions of the population. Established in 2006 by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the non-profit organization focuses on biodiversity, climate change, ocean protection, and sustainable water resource management, primarily in the Mediterranean basin, polar regions, and least developed countries. This move is part of its strategy to assist states with significant natural capital facing conservation and sustainable development challenges.
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