Legal System of Gabon

Gabon is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in central africa, bordering the atlantic ocean at the equator, between republic of the congo and equatorial guinea. The country achieved independence on 17 august 1960 (from france). The capital is Libreville.

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Brice OLIGUI Nguema (since 3 May 2025) Head of Government: President Brice OLIGUI Nguema (since 3 May 2025) Cabinet: cabinet appointed by president Administrative Divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem National Holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1960) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Gabon is described as mixed system of French civil law and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: previous 1961, 1991; latest approved in November 2024 referendum Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic, by the Council of Ministers, or by one third of either house of Parliament; passage requires Constitutional Court evaluation, at least two-thirds majority vote of two thirds of the Parliament membership convened in joint session, and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on Gabon’s democratic form of government cannot be amended

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 4 permanent specialized supreme courts - Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation, Administrative Supreme Court or Conseil d’Etat, Accounting Supreme Court or Cour des Comptes, Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle, and the non-permanent Court of State Security, initiated only for cases of high treason by the president and criminal activity by executive branch officials) Judge Selection: appointment and tenure of Supreme, Administrative, Accounting, and State Security courts NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed - 3 by the national president, 3 by the president of the Senate, and 3 by the president of the National Assembly; judges serve single renewable 7-year terms Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal; county courts; military courts

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) (145 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): plurality/majority Upper Chamber: Senate (Senate)

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Gabon Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in present-day Gabon and the surrounding area, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Gabon based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.