[2][3][4] The party drew support from functionaries in the newly established public administration.
[5] The party was founded on 20 August 1958,[1][6] and was led by René-Paul Sousatte and Jean-Jacques Boucavel, who had broken away from the Gabonese Democratic and Social Union two days earlier.
[2][1][7] The founders of PUNGA also included Louis M'Vey (of the CGAT trade union movement), Valentin Mihindou, Martin Longa (municipal councillor, BDG member), Henri Moundounga (in charge of the cabinet of the minister of Public Works) and Jean-Félix Lassy (in-charge of the cabinet of the minister of Public Functions).
At the time PUNGA, which was itself born in the midst of the preparations of the referendum, was the sole political force in the country that advocated this position.
[8] As an alternative to French domination, the party was open to the creation of a confederation of free and equal states.