A high-level conference for parliaments in West and Central Africa currently experiencing transitions, focusing on The role of transitional legislative institutions in restoring a sustainable constitutional order, has concluded in Libreville, Gabon.
The two-day event, on 5 and 6 May 2025, offered an opportunity for parliamentary leaders from Chad, Gabon and Guinea to exchange views and lessons learned, and to build solidarity in a region that has recently experienced significant political upheaval.
A platform for sharing experiences and building synergies
Organized by the IPU, the Gabonese Transitional Parliament and International IDEA, the conference was aimed at fostering dialogue, providing a platform to share experiences, and identifying good practices for legislative institutions during transitional periods.
These institutions play a key role, facing numerous challenges such as managing key societal needs while ensuring a transition to peaceful and sustainable constitutional rule.
Preserving the integrity of parliamentary processes is crucial to restoring public confidence in democracy. Parliaments today, in general, face increasing challenges, and in transitional contexts, these challenges and people’s expectations are even higher.
The conference emphasized the role of transitional parliaments in engaging with citizens, restoring trust, and setting the basis for inclusive, transparent and efficient decision-making post-transition.
In his opening remarks, Jean-François Ndongou, President of Gabon’s Transitional National Assembly, highlighted the conference’s primary objective: “to open a space for dialogue and sharing of experiences between the Presidents of transitional legislative institutions on the continent, to effectively manage the present and successfully prepare for the future”. He emphasized the importance of “seeking African solutions to African problems, with African actors”.
The IPU Secretary General, Martin Chungong, highlighted the assistance provided by the IPU to transitional parliaments in the region: in Gabon, supporting constitutional development in line with national dialogue recommendations; in Burkina Faso, enhancing governance, security and inclusion through training; in Guinea, aiding the transitional parliament in budget oversight; and in Chad, preparing the National Transitional Council for parliamentary roles and planning ongoing support for the new legislature, including a senate.
A roadmap for the future?
The conference concluded with the adoption of the Libreville Declaration, a joint statement outlining commitments and strategies for supporting transitional parliaments and restoring constitutional order across the region. This Declaration will serve as a reference for ongoing and future transitions, emphasizing the need for inclusive, transparent and effective legislative institutions, good governance, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
Chad and Gabon: Success stories
Gabon’s recent return to constitutional order, marked by the inauguration of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, is seen as a positive example for the region.
The country’s short transition process, including a detailed electoral calendar and a commitment to political dialogue and inclusivity, demonstrates that a political rupture can be turned into a democratic opportunity.
With legislative elections foreseen in a couple of months, for a new parliament, all governance institutions will have been renewed, with the support of the IPU.
In Chad, the recent election of a newly established Senate also marks the end of the transition period.
Background
As part of its programmatic work, the IPU assists parliaments in building their capacity to fulfil their constitutional mandate, particularly in countries experiencing crises where their role is vital for restoring constitutional order.
Support during crises has included assistance to the parliaments of Afghanistan, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and Thailand, among others. The IPU provides practical help and guidance through peer-to-peer exchanges, access to expertise, training, contributing to the drafting of new constitutions, creating legal frameworks for inclusive decision-making, citizen engagement during crises, reviewing internal parliamentary structures, building the capacity and expertise of administrations, and conducting induction sessions for new MPs.
