As Gabon marked its 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, President of the Forum for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) and a former candidate in the August 2023 presidential election, issued an official statement. In it, he urged all national stakeholders to forge a ‘National Consolidation Pact,’ envisioning it as a framework to unite patriots around Gabon’s fundamental priorities.

The concept championed by the FDR president is neither a power-sharing arrangement nor a demand for the opposition to abandon its role. Instead, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou seeks to establish a collective commitment among the nation’s diverse vital forces. He articulated, “It would, in fact, involve something much simpler, yet simultaneously more demanding: agreeing on the essentials.”

This proposal emerges amidst a public discourse that Joachim Mbatchi Pambou believes has deteriorated significantly. He laments the transformation of political disagreements into personal animosities and implores actors to return to respectful debate. “We can be political adversaries without becoming enemies. We can disagree without hating each other,” he asserted, urging his compatriots to prioritize “the essential.”

According to Mbatchi Pambou, this “essential” should encompass several national imperatives: civil peace and national cohesion, adherence to institutions and the rule of law, social justice, the reduction of inequalities, job creation, enhancement of public services, and the local transformation of natural resources.

For the former 2023 presidential candidate, the pact must also contribute to rebuilding trust among citizens and institutions, between political actors, and 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 at the heart of the pact

Joachim Mbatchi Pambou’s initiative extends beyond political figures. He proposes a broad dialogue framework that would bring together institutions, political forces, civil society organizations, the private sector, trade unions, religious denominations, academics, youth, women, and the diaspora. The primary objective would be to identify a limited set of national priorities, establish precise commitments, and allow citizens to regularly monitor progress.

This responsibility, he argues, should involve all segments of society. The government, in his view, should “listen more and be more accountable,” while the opposition should continue to critique but also offer constructive proposals. Civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora are also expected to play a crucial role in this national dynamic.

Through this proposition, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou calls for an end to the pattern where every political divergence escalates into confrontation. He believes the nation’s development cannot rely solely on its natural resources or potential, but equally on its capacity to preserve national cohesion. “No wealth will ever replace national cohesion. Our primary wealth is our ability to live together,” he concluded.