Nguema Leads in Gabon Elections… Can He Fix What the Former Regime Broke?
Gabon: Coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema is leading the presidential elections amid hopes for reform and fears of a return of former regime figures.
Libreville – Gabon is witnessing a pivotal moment in its political history as it holds presidential elections on Saturday. The vote comes 19 months after General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led a military coup, ousted Ali Bongo, whose family ruled the country for over half a century.
Nguema, 50, described the election as “transparent,” asserting that the high voter turnout reflects “Gabonese citizens regaining trust in the electoral process.” The results are expected on Sunday, with the winner to serve a seven-year term, renewable once.
Nguema, who led the August 2023 coup, is widely seen as the frontrunner, enjoying strong support for toppling a regime accused of corruption and nepotism. Running under the slogan “Building Together”, his campaign promises include diversifying the economy and strengthening agriculture, tourism, and industry.
However, his candidacy remains controversial. Critics argue he does not represent a clean break from the past, especially since he previously served as a military aide to the late President Omar Bongo, father of Ali Bongo. Voter Libaski Mousavou, 34, said Nguema “sold us a dream,” adding: “He surrounded himself with figures from the Bongo era whom the people had rejected.”
Nguema’s main rival is Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, a former Prime Minister under Bongo. He has called for the military to “return to their barracks” and expressed concerns over potential vote manipulation using unused voter cards.
Despite an economic growth rate of 2.9% in 2024, driven by infrastructure projects and resources like oil, timber, and manganese, many voters voiced frustration over poor public services—particularly frequent water and power outages in the capital.
Nguema’s coup marked the eighth in West and Central Africa since 2020, reflecting growing public disillusionment with existing political systems in the region.
