Libreville, 25 August 2023 – On the eve of the 26 August 2023 general elections in Gabon, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa and Head of UNOCA, Abdou Abarry, and the entire UN System reiterate the call of the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, for a peaceful, inclusive and credible electoral process. In this regard, the UN cautions against all forms of intimidation, violence, violations of Human rights and restrictions on freedom of expression. It recalls the need to avoid hate speech and discourages any act likely to constitute a threat to social peace and to safety of persons and property.

In this perspective, the United Nations encourages the relevant authorities and all other stakeholders, including candidates for presidential, legislative and local elections, and their supporters, to put the national interest ahead of all other considerations. The United Nations invites candidates, if necessary, to give priority to dialogue and recourse to legal means to resolve any disagreements. As reiterated by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Central Africa and Head of UNOCA, "Gabon should come out of this electoral process stronger, and not weakened". He reaffirms his determination and availability to continue to offer his good offices and to work in synergy with the Resident Coordinator, Savina Ammassari, to contribute to the consolidation of democratic achievements and to the sustainable development of Gabon.

Since the beginning of the process, Mr. Abarry has held several meetings with all the key socio-political actors, including the ruling party, the opposition and the civil society, to stress on the importance of maintaining a peaceful climate before, during and after the general elections of 26 August 2023.

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