MORENA was established in 1981, and was forced to operate illicitly in Gabon as the country was a
one-party state at the time. It declared itself a
government-in-exile and was supported by the
Socialist Party in France. Its leaders in Gabon were arrested in 1981 and 1982 for handing out leaflets calling for the restoration of multi-party democracy. Although they were given long jail sentences, they were released in 1986 during a general amnesty. He finished second in the elections with 16.5% of the vote. In the
2009 presidential elections the party nominated Luc Bengono Nsi as its candidate. He received 250 votes (0.07%). The party nominated two candidates for the
2011 parliamentary elections, but failed to win a seat. ==See also ==