Authorities in Gabon say voters have overwhelmingly approved a new constitution more than one year after mutinous soldiers overthrew the country’s longtime president and seized power in the oil-rich Central African nation.

Gabon has approved a new constitution, marking progress toward democratic rule despite concerns over the junta's long-term intentions.

The constitutional change would also require presidential candidates to be exclusively Gabonese, with at least one Gabon- born parent and have a Gabonese spouse. The criterion disqualifies ousted ruler Ali Bongo Ondimba,