Gabon’s Coup Leader Secures Presidency with Overwhelming Majority

Gabon’s military leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has secured an overwhelming victory in the country’s presidential election, winning over 90% of the vote, according to provisional results announced by Interior Minister Hermann Immongault.

Nguema’s triumph follows 19 months of transitional military rule after he ousted President Ali Bongo in an August 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year reign. His victory grants him a seven-year mandate under the new constitution approved last November, with the possibility of one renewal.

“Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is elected president by absolute majority of votes cast, with 575,222 votes,” said Immongault.

His main challenger, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, received just over 3% of the votes in a race featuring eight candidates, including the lone female contender, Gninga Chaning Zenaba.

A Historic Election Without the Bongo Dynasty

For the first time in decades, a Bongo family member was absent from the presidential ballot. Yet many Gabonese remain sceptical about whether this marks a genuine departure from the entrenched political establishment.

“We want a new Gabon that is well-governed, well-managed, with social justice and equal opportunity,” said voter Noël Kounta. “We want a developed and prosperous Gabon.”

Across Libreville, campaign posters for Nguema dominated, while his rivals’ presence was minimal. Supporters praised his “action-before-words” leadership, while critics accused him of engineering an electoral process that favoured his candidacy.

Key opposition figures, including Albert Ondo Ossa, were barred from contesting after constitutional amendments introduced age restrictions.

Despite pledges to restore civilian rule, Nguema’s ties to the previous regime have raised concerns. He previously served as aide-de-camp to former president Omar Bongo and led the elite Republican Guard under Ali Bongo.

High Turnout but Allegations of Irregularities

Voter turnout reached 70.4%, significantly higher than the 56.6% recorded in the disputed 2023 election that preceded the coup. Authorities and some observers hailed the poll as peaceful and transparent, though opposition candidates alleged irregularities, including delayed voting and concerns over unsecured ballot papers.

Bilie-by-Nze voiced fears of ballot-stuffing and criticised the electoral process as skewed, while calling on Nguema to “return to the barracks” and allow genuine civilian leadership.

The African Union lifted sanctions on Gabon following the election, citing progress in the political transition. The AU’s Peace and Security Council described the electoral process as “generally successful”, reinstating Gabon’s participation in continental activities.

Promises of Reform Amid Economic Challenges

In his victory address, Nguema promised to “restore dignity to the Gabonese people” and “return to them what has been stolen.” He pledged to tackle corruption, diversify the oil-dependent economy, and invest in agriculture, tourism, and industry.

Gabon, an oil- and timber-rich nation of 2.3 million people, continues to face high unemployment, regular power shortages, and heavy debt. Nearly 40% of young people remain jobless, despite the country’s natural wealth.

Economic growth stood at 2.9% in 2024, up from 2.4% in 2023, driven by infrastructure development and increased production of oil, manganese, and timber, according to World Bank data.

International investors are closely watching Gabon’s trajectory. “A democratically elected government with a clear mandate will be better positioned to engage with multilateral partners and pursue fiscal reforms essential for macroeconomic stability,” noted analyst Mucahid Durmaz of Verisk Maplecroft.

A Nation at a Crossroads

Nguema’s victory consolidates his grip on power while raising critical questions about the future of governance in Gabon. Many citizens are hopeful but cautious, wary of cosmetic reforms masking deeper continuities with the past.

“The political elite remains deeply intertwined with the Bongo era,” observed political analyst Alain Uaykani. “The key question is whether this is true change—or simply a rebranding.”

As Nguema embarks on his seven-year mandate, the challenge will be delivering tangible improvements in governance, economic inclusion, and social justice for ordinary Gabonese.