LIBREVILLE, Gabon — Gabon’s chief military figure, who presently serves as interim president, has revealed his intent to enter the upcoming presidential race scheduled for April 12.
General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema emerged as a pivotal figure following a 2023 military coup that resulted in the ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The former president faced allegations from the Gabonese populace of mismanagement and serious misappropriation of funds, which many believed was steering the nation towards instability.
Expressing his decision publicly, Nguema addressed his supporters in the capital city of Libreville, stating, “After careful consideration and in response to your numerous appeals, I have decided to stand as a candidate in the presidential election.”
In August 2023, Nguema was appointed as head of a transitional body after soldiers declared him president. He had previously served as the chief of the presidential guard and is noted for his familial relation to Bongo as his cousin.
The declaration of his candidacy follows Gabon’s parliament adopting a new electoral code. This legislative change lays out the procedures and regulations for conducting elections and controversially permits military officers to participate in political elections—an opportunity previously unavailable. This amendment facilitates Nguema’s eligibility for seeking the presidential office for the first time.
The constitution, ratified in a referendum last November, mandates a seven-year term for the presidency, which can be renewed once.
The former president, Ali Bongo, took office in 2009 after the demise of his father, who had maintained the presidency for 41 years. There has been significant public dissatisfaction regarding the Bongo family’s prolonged governance.
As a former French territory and current OPEC member, Gabon’s oil wealth is predominantly controlled by a limited elite. Meanwhile, the World Bank reported that nearly 40% of young Gabonese, particularly those aged 15 to 24, were unemployed in 2020. In 2022, the nation reportedly earned $6 billion from oil exports according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
