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Published on 2024-03-19 13:25:43
Although he himself held the position for 18 months, on Tuesday, March 19, Julien Nkoghe Bekale informed that he had included among his proposals made in the framework of the upcoming Inclusive National Dialogue the abolition of the position of Prime Minister in the government, estimating that the duties and prerogatives of the Prime Minister can be assumed by a Vice President of the Republic elected in ticket with the President.
The flag of Gabon in the meeting room of the Prime Minister’s office. © GabonReview
“I am in favor of the abolition of the function of Prime Minister.” Pronounced during his public declaration on Tuesday, March 19 in Libreville, the statement by Julien Nkoghe Bekale did not fail to surprise. The former head of government who spent 1 year, 6 months and 4 days in the Prime Minister’s office nonetheless stands by his proposal made in the context of the upcoming Inclusive National Dialogue. “Everyone knows that it serves no purpose in our country. Yes, I was Prime Minister, so I know what I’m talking about,” he declared.
Having been a minister several times under Ali Bongo before being promoted in January 2019, the former head of the public administration explains that in the absence of a Prime Minister, “the Vice President of the Republic could ensure the coordination of governmental action under the authority of the President of the Republic.” The related proposal is therefore to proceed with the election of the President of the Republic “in ticket with a Vice President,” as in other countries, including the United States. He hopes that this option could ensure that Gabon has “a strong institutional framework.”
Former Prime Minister Julien Nkoghe Bekale, March 19, 2024 in Libreville. © GabonReview
A Constitution specific to Gabon
Advocating for “a decentralized and decentralized unitary state,” but above all based on the history and values of Gabon, Julien Nkoghe Bekale has also made proposals on what the future Fundamental Law announced by the military in power should be. He also urged participants in the upcoming forum to ensure a better outcome than in the past, particularly by strengthening executive, judicial, and parliamentary powers and by “constitutionalizing other powers: military power, local power, and media power.”
“It is about writing a new Constitution, not a tailored Constitution. We must write a Constitution that allows for power to check power. This umpteenth writing should not be an unorthodox modification to seize power, but to give power to the sovereign people,” he justified.
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Read the original article(French) on Gabon Review
