Gabon’s first presidential election since a 2023 military coup took place on Saturday. Interim President Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who led the coup, is expected to win but faces opposition from former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze.
More than 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 overseas, cast their ballots at over 3,000 polling stations. The election was seen as a test of Oligui Nguema’s claim to consolidate his power for seven years.
Bilie-By-Nze has campaigned on an anti-colonial platform and promised to reorganize public finances, create jobs, and end France’s influence in the country. He questioned the fairness of the election, stating that everything is being done to restrict votes.
The French military presence remains a contentious issue, with Bilie-By-Nze vowing to renegotiate ties with France. However, Oligui Nguema has not signaled an end to the 300-strong French troop presence in Gabon.
Voters’ opinions are divided, with some supporting Oligui Nguema’s government and others opposing it. A 27-year-old law graduate expressed his distrust of the military, while a construction worker praised the projects completed during Oligui Nguema’s rule. The outcome of the election remains to be seen as Gabon seeks to build its future under its new leadership.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/12/africa/gabon-votes-new-president-first-since-2023-military-coup-intl/index.html