Gabon’s Junta Leader Brice Oligui Nguema Poised for Election Victory Following 2023 Coup

LIBREVILLE, 12 April 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Citizens of Gabon are heading to the polls today in a presidential election expected to confirm General Brice Oligui Nguema as the country’s first elected leader since the military coup that ousted the long-standing Bongo dynasty in August 2023.

🇬🇦 From Coup Leader to Elected President

General Oligui, who seized power on 30 August 2023, has emerged as the frontrunner in national opinion polls. Having served as the head of the Republican Guard under former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Oligui led a swift and bloodless coup that ended 55 years of Bongo family rule – first under Omar Bongo, and later his son, Ali.

Following the takeover, Oligui declared himself transitional president, forming a civilian-inclusive government tasked with drafting a new constitution. He now seeks a full seven-year presidential term through democratic means, running against seven other candidates.

🗳️ Election Snapshot

The election takes place amidst socio-economic challenges, including high unemployment, power and water outages, and rising public debt – issues the incoming administration will need to address with urgency.

🎤 Final Campaign Messages

At his final campaign rally in Libreville, a jubilant Oligui declared:

“The builder is here, the special candidate, the one you called!”

The rally featured music, dance, and open celebration, reflecting the fervour surrounding his anticipated victory.

In contrast, Oligui’s main opponent, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze – a former prime minister under Ali Bongo – has presented himself as the candidate of change. He accused Oligui of being a symbol of continuity rather than rupture, citing his role in the old regime’s security apparatus.

“There can be no real break from the past if its enforcers remain in power,” Bilie By Nze stated earlier this week.

📜 Referendum: A Mixed Mandate

In November 2024, Gabon held a referendum to approve the new constitution drafted under Oligui’s transitional government. Although the measure passed with a resounding 91.6% ‘yes’ vote, voter turnout was just 54.2%, raising questions about overall public engagement.

🔍 Regional and International Perspective

Gabon, a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), is one of the continent’s oil-rich nations. Its strategic importance and natural resources have drawn international attention, especially after the 2023 coup, which followed a wave of military takeovers in West and Central Africa.

The international community has cautiously monitored the transition, calling for a return to civilian-led governance. If confirmed, today’s election victory could mark a formal – albeit contested – shift toward democratic legitimacy for Oligui’s leadership.