Libreville, Gabon — Interior Minister Adrien Nguema Mba has ordered all registered political parties to bring their files up to date within a short, as-yet-unspecified period or face removal from the official list, according to a ministry communiqué read in Libreville on 14 January.
The directive was delivered during a summons sent to every legally recognised party, inviting them to a compliance meeting scheduled for 10:00 on 16 January at the ministry’s headquarters.
The call is the first enforcement step under a party — reform law adopted in June 2025 that tightened registration criteria, including requirements for national representation, gender quotas and asset declarations.
Official statements indicate the review aims to “guarantee transparency and credibility” ahead of elections expected later this year.
The communiqué, delivered by the minister’s communications adviser Jean Eric Nziengui Mangala, gave parties less than 48 hours’ notice, signalling the tight timeline they now face to submit updated statutes, membership rolls and financial statements. Only organisations already on the state register received invitations, meaning groups that failed to secure initial recognition may be excluded from the coming poll cycle.
Further details on how long parties have to comply or what penalties follow non — compliance were not immediately available.
Gabon has been under military — led transition since the 30 August 2023 coup that ended President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s 14-year rule. General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who heads the junta, pledged a return to civilian government by 2025-26 and oversaw a constitutional referendum in April 2025 that authorised sweeping electoral reforms, including the new party statute.
Adrien Nguema Mba, appointed civilian Interior Minister last year, also serves as Special Delegate in charge of Libreville’s municipal administration, giving him oversight of both national and capital-level electoral preparations.
The ministry says an updated party list will be published once the verification process is complete. Officials have not yet announced the exact compliance deadline or the date of the next elections.
Further details are expected after Friday’s meeting.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
