Gabon’s interim prime minister says the time frame for a transition to civilian rule will only be decided during a national dialogue to take place between April and June next year.

Speaking at a press conference, Raymond Ndong Sima revealed that the dialogue will also pave the way for the creation of a new constitution.

An appeal for proposals from “all categories” of the Gabonese population will be made next week, as a prelude to the national dialogue.

“Everyone has something to say. Men, women, old people, young people, people in housing estates, people in towns, in villages, everyone has an opinion and that's normal,” he said.

When the military ousted President Ali Bongo on 30 August, they promised to hand over power to civilians through elections by the end of the transitional period.

With no clear picture of how long it might take, the junta led by transitional President Brice Oligui Nguema will continue to rule the oil-rich Central African country until a timetable is established.