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Archbishop of Gabon’s Libreville Archdiocese to Chair 2024 National Inclusive Dialogue

Archbishop Jean-Patrick Iba-Ba of Libreville Archdiocese with the Preisdent of Gabon's Transition, General Brice Oligui Nguema. Credit: Fr. Serge-Patrick Mabickassa

The Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) in Gabon has settled for the Archbishop of Libreville to chair the country’s National Inclusive Dialogue scheduled for April 2024.

On November 14, CTRI spokesman, Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, announced that Archbishop Jean-Patrick Iba-Ba is to chair an “Inclusive National Dialogue aimed to reform the country,” from 1-30 April 2024.

As part of his mandate, Archbishop Iba-Ba is to reach out to Gabonese people for input, which will serve as a basis for the national dialogue.

On August 30, Military officers in Gabon announced that they had seized power shortly after President Ali Bongo was declared winner of the August 26 presidential poll. 

Named leader of the transition, General Brice Oligui Nguema was sworn in at the presidential palace in the capital, Libreville, on September 4. The ceremony had army officials, and religious leaders among the attendees.

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President Bongo, who had been placed under house arrest, was released on September 6.

In a meeting with the President of the transition, Archbishop Iba-Ba emphasized “the sacredness of life and respect for human dignity.”

Born in Libreville in April 1966, the Gabonese Catholic Archbishop was ordained a Priest in July 1998 for the Archdiocese of Libreville. He was appointed Archbishop of Libreville in March 2020.

In his November 14 statement, Col. Manfoumbi announced the military transition’s plans to conduct elections in August 2025 to return the country to civilian rule.

Within the period of the transition, a referendum on a new constitution is to take place in December 2024, he added. 

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Col. Manfoumbi further said the country’s parliament is to be transformed into a constituent assembly in June next year for the exercise.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.