Passports and National ID Cards Blocked: The State Launches a Regularization Commission
An initiative to speed up the processing of pending cases and restore citizens’ rights.
I n Libreville, judicial authorities are initiating a structured response to resolve the numerous disputes related to nationality and civil identification.
Under the impetus of the Minister of Justice, Augustin Emane, a dedicated administrative commission will soon be established to process pending cases, particularly those concerning passports and national identity cards (CNI). This initiative follows a strategic meeting held on April 1, 2026, with the Director General of Documentation and Immigration, Théophile Ndounda Leboussi.
This exceptional mechanism is grounded in a solid legal basis, in accordance with Article 84 of Ordinance No. 0004/PR/2026 establishing the Gabonese Nationality Code. Comprising 20 members and endowed with a renewable one‑year mandate, the commission will be tasked with examining and regularizing thousands of complex administrative cases. The objective is to correct dysfunctions observed in the management of civil status records and to provide legal security for the status of the citizens concerned.
Beyond the administrative dimension, this reform carries major social significance. It seeks to guarantee the fundamental rights of users facing persistent blockages, while easing the burden on the competent services. By emphasizing speed and legal rigor, the public authorities aim to restore confidence in institutions and provide a concrete response to an issue that has become central to national cohesion.
