Gabon’s military leader Gen Brice Oligui Nguema has won the country’s presidential election with more than 90% of the vote, according to provisional results. The victory consolidates his grip on power, nearly two years after leading a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo.
Oligui Nguema, 50, faced seven other candidates, but opposition leaders were excluded from the race, giving him a clear path to the top job. His main challenger, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, received just over 3% of the votes.
The election was marked by irregularities, including delayed votes and voters being unable to find their polling stations. However, more than seven out of 10 registered voters participated in the poll, which was hailed as relatively transparent and peaceful.
Oligui Nguema’s victory brings him a seven-year mandate and the resources to tackle corruption and bad governance that plagued Gabon under the Bongo regime. The country’s population of just 2.5 million people is largely oil- and timber-rich but still struggles with poverty, with about 35% living below the poverty line of $2 per day.
Oligui Nguema promises to rid the country of the ill image that had tarnished Gabon under previous rule and has been popular among a population relieved to be rid of dynastic rule.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp31kxg35dro