On Sunday, voters in Gabon awaited the results of the presidential election, which the military rulers of the central African nation hope will legitimate their authority following the coup that took place in 2023. The interim president, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who led this coup, appears to be on track to win the election by a significant margin, according to analysts. Observers noted his presence in the majority of the more than 3,000 polling stations that participated in the voting process, suggesting a strong campaigning strategy.
Local observers reported that the election was conducted satisfactorily at nearly all monitored polling stations. Initial results from a limited number of voting sites indicated that Oligui Nguema had garnered most of the votes. He faces competition from seven other candidates, with the former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze being his main challenger. Bilie-By-Nze has accused Oligui Nguema of exploiting state resources for his campaign, a claim that the government denies.
This election marks Gabon’s first since the military coup in 2023, which dismantled a political dynasty that lasted over 50 years. Approximately 920,000 voters were registered for this significant electoral event, including more than 28,000 residents living overseas. The election comes in the context of widespread poverty, with a third of Gabon's 2.3 million population living under these conditions, despite the country’s substantial oil wealth.
According to the Gabonese Civil Society Organizations Observation Mission, at least 94.8% of polling stations observed met satisfactory operational conditions, while transparency was deemed satisfactory in 98.6% of continued operations. The interim president had representatives present in 69.6% of the polling stations, compared to just 8.2% for Bilie-By-Nze.
Oligui Nguema, at 50 years old and previously the head of the republican guard, had seized power from President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago. He aims to solidify his power with a potential seven-year term as president. After casting his ballot in Libreville, the capital of Gabon, Oligui Nguema expressed pride in citizens participating in the electoral process, stating his hopes for the country's new direction. He remarked, "May the best man win."
In a video message shared after voting in northern Gabon, Bilie-By-Nze voiced concerns regarding the potential for electoral fraud, particularly concerning unused voting cards. Public opinion seems divided regarding the military's performance since the coup in 2023. Many citizens voiced disappointment, feeling that the military has not fulfilled its promises, with Antoine Nkili, a 27-year-old unemployed law graduate, arguing that the military has instead enriched itself rather than instigating meaningful reforms.
The election results in Gabon are critical, not only for the country's political future but also for addressing the pressing socioeconomic challenges faced by its citizens. Observers await the official tally, which will determine whether General Oligui Nguema’s campaign for legitimacy will be successful or if the citizens' cries for change will resonate through the polling results.
