General Brice Oligui Nguema, the military leader who ousted President Ali Bongo in a 2023 coup, has officially won Gabon’s presidential election with an overwhelming majority, securing more than 90% of the vote, according to provisional results announced by the interior ministry.
Nguema, 50, outpaced seven other candidates, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, a key figure in the toppled Bongo administration. Bilie-by-Nze garnered just over 3% of the vote, highlighting the commanding lead enjoyed by Nguema. Interior Minister Hermann Immongault declared that Nguema received 575,222 votes, clinching a seven-year term.
The election, conducted under a new constitution and electoral code, drew criticism for allegedly favoring Nguema. Some opposition leaders with strong political influence were notably excluded from the race, raising concerns about the fairness of the process. Despite this, more than 70% of registered voters turned out, with authorities hailing the vote as peaceful and transparent.
However, Bilie-by-Nze and other critics cited irregularities, including mishandled ballots and discrepancies at polling stations, although these claims have yet to be independently verified.
Nguema’s rise marks the end of a 60-year political dynasty led by the Bongo family, with Omar Bongo and later his son Ali Bongo ruling Gabon since 1967. The general, a former commander of the powerful Republican Guard, gained popularity for his promises to tackle corruption and mismanagement—ills that plagued the Bongo era.
Despite being rich in oil and timber, Gabon remains mired in poverty, with around 35% of its 2.5 million citizens living on less than $2 a day. Nguema now faces the daunting task of transforming his military-led government into a credible democratic institution and delivering on his pledges of reform.
As the country embarks on this new chapter, the international community will be closely watching how Nguema balances power consolidation with much-needed political and economic reforms in one of Central Africa’s most resource-rich yet unequal nations.
