Gabon Election: Coup Leader Wins Big

THE AFRICA TIMES | GABON — Brice Oligui Nguema has been declared the winner of Gabon’s presidential election. He secured 90.35% of the vote, the country’s interior minister announced on Sunday. This followed a military coup led by Nguema in August 2023, ending over five decades of Bongo family rule. Presidential Election Results Saturday’s vote was the first presidential election since the coup. Nguema emerged as the clear frontrunner among eight candidates. Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, the former Prime Minister, received only 3.02% of the vote. Voter Turnout Voter turnout reached 70.40%. This is significantly higher than the 56.65% recorded in the disputed August 2023 election. The previous vote was contested by the opposition and lacked credibility. Nguema’s Promises and Background Nguema campaigned under the slogan “We Build Together.” He presented himself as a reformist, committed to breaking from past corruption. He promised to diversify Gabon’s economy by investing in agriculture, tourism, and industry. Despite Gabon’s oil wealth, about one-third of its 2.5 million citizens live in poverty. Nguema’s victory starts a seven-year term under a new constitution. This constitution, approved in November, allows one re-election. Though seeking to distance himself, Nguema’s past links to the Bongo dynasty remain. He previously served as an aide-de-camp to Omar Bongo. Omar Bongo ruled from 1967 until his death in 2009. Economic Implications and Analysis International observers and investors are watching Gabon’s developments closely. The country holds $3 billion in international bonds. Analysts suggest a democratically elected government could restore investor confidence and enable fiscal reforms. Analysts’ Predictions “Prolonged political uncertainty and fears of extended military rule have constrained Gabon’s economic growth,” said Mucahid Durmaz. Durmaz is a senior Africa analyst at Verisk Maplecroft. “A government with legitimacy will be in a stronger position to engage global lenders and tackle debt.” Gabon’s economy grew by 2.9% in 2024. This is up from 2.4% in 2023. This growth was driven by infrastructure spending and higher output in oil, manganese, and timber.