Joachim Mbatchi Pambou proposes a national consolidation pact for Gabon

As Gabon marked its 66th Independence Day, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou, President of the Forum for the Defense of the Republic (FDR) and a contender in the August 2023 presidential election, issued an official communication advocating for a ‘National Consolidation Pact’. This initiative is envisioned as a foundational framework designed to unite all patriotic forces around Gabon’s most critical national priorities.

The vision put forth by the FDR president is explicitly not an agreement for power-sharing, nor does it demand that the opposition abandon its vital role. Instead, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou seeks to forge a collective commitment among the nation’s diverse stakeholders. “It would, in fact, be about achieving something much simpler, yet simultaneously far more demanding: agreeing on what is essential,” he articulated.

This proposal emerges amidst what Joachim Mbatchi Pambou perceives as a deteriorating public discourse. He particularly laments the transformation of political disagreements into personal animosities, urging all participants to return to a debate grounded in mutual respect. “We can be political adversaries without becoming enemies. We can disagree without hating each other,” he affirmed, imploring his fellow citizens to prioritize “the essential.”

This “essential,” according to Mbatchi Pambou, should encompass several key national priorities: fostering civil peace and national cohesion, upholding institutions and the rule of law, advancing social justice, actively reducing inequalities, stimulating job creation, enhancing public services, and promoting the local transformation of natural resources.

For the former 2023 presidential candidate, the proposed pact must also be instrumental in rebuilding trust – between citizens and institutions, among political actors, and between Gabon and its diaspora. Fundamentally, it aims to revitalize national dialogue, establish priorities that transcend transient political shifts, and ensure rigorous follow-up on all commitments made.

Inclusivity at the core

Joachim Mbatchi Pambou’s ambition extends beyond limiting this crucial endeavor to political figures alone. He proposes a comprehensive dialogue framework that would bring together governmental institutions, political forces, civil society organizations, the private sector, labor unions, religious denominations, academics, youth representatives, women’s groups, and the diaspora. The ultimate goal is to pinpoint a concise set of national priorities, establish precise commitments, and enable citizens to regularly assess progress.

This shared responsibility, he emphasizes, should engage every segment of society. The government, in his view, ought to “listen more and be more accountable,” while the opposition should continue its critical function while also offering constructive proposals. Civil society, the private sector, and the diaspora are likewise expected to play active roles in this national dynamic.

Through this thoughtful proposition, Joachim Mbatchi Pambou calls for a departure from a mindset where every political divergence escalates into a confrontation. He firmly believes that Gabon’s development cannot solely depend on its natural wealth or inherent potential, but equally on its capacity to safeguard national cohesion. “No amount of wealth will ever replace national cohesion. Our primary wealth is our ability to live together,” he concluded.