As Gabon commemorated its 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, President of the Forum for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) and a former presidential candidate in August 2023, released an official statement. In it, he urged all national stakeholders to embrace a ‘National Consolidation Pact,’ presenting this initiative as a vital framework designed to unite patriots around Gabon’s core priorities.
The vision put forth by the FDR president is neither a power-sharing arrangement nor an expectation for the opposition to abandon its role. Instead, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou seeks to foster a collective commitment among the nation’s diverse active forces. « The objective is, in essence, something far simpler, yet simultaneously more demanding: to agree upon what truly matters, » he explained.
This proposal emerges amidst what Mbatchi Pambou perceives as a deteriorating public discourse. He specifically laments the transformation of political disagreements into personal confrontations and calls on all actors to return to a respectful mode of debate. « We can be political adversaries without becoming enemies. We can disagree without harboring hatred, » he asserted, imploring his compatriots to prioritize « the essential ».
According to Mbatchi Pambou, this « essential » foundation should encompass several critical national priorities: fostering civil peace and national cohesion, upholding institutions and the rule of law, promoting social justice, reducing inequalities, generating employment, improving public services, and facilitating the local processing of natural resources.
The former 2023 presidential candidate emphasized that the pact must also contribute to rebuilding trust – among citizens and institutions, between political figures, and notably, between Gabon and its diaspora. It aims to revitalize national dialogue, define long-term priorities that transcend political transitions, and ensure accountability for all commitments made.
Inclusivity for Gabon’s future
Joachim Mbatchi Pambou stressed that this endeavor should not be limited solely to political actors. He proposes a comprehensive dialogue framework that brings together institutions, political entities, civil society organizations, the private sector, trade unions, religious denominations, academics, youth, women, and the diaspora. The ultimate goal is to identify a concise set of national priorities, establish concrete commitments, and enable citizens to regularly assess progress.
This collective responsibility, he argues, extends to all segments of society. The government, in his view, ought to « listen more and be more accountable, » while the opposition should maintain its critical function while also offering constructive proposals. Civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora are likewise expected to contribute significantly to this national momentum.
Through this proposition, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou advocates for transcending a paradigm where every political disagreement escalates into confrontation. He contends that the nation’s progress cannot solely depend on its natural resources or inherent potential, but equally on its ability to maintain national cohesion. « No amount of wealth will ever replace national cohesion. Our foremost asset is our capacity to coexist, » he concluded.
