In a significant political development, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the August 2023 military coup in Gabon, has been elected president with 90.35% of the vote, according to provisional results announced by the interior minister on April 13, 2025.
The election, held on April 12, 2025, is the first since the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, ending over 50 years of Bongo family rule. The high voter turnout of 70.4% reflects a significant level of public engagement, surpassing the turnout in the disputed August 2023 election that led to the coup.
Oligui Nguema’s main rival, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, secured just 3.02% of the vote. Bilie-By-Nze criticized the election process, alleging misuse of state resources and questioning the transparency of the vote.
Despite these criticisms, the election is viewed by some analysts as a step toward legitimizing Nguema’s leadership and stabilizing Gabon’s political landscape. His victory secures a seven-year presidential term, as established by a new constitution approved in November 2024.
However, questions remain about the depth of political transformation under Nguema’s leadership, given his close ties to the ousted Bongo regime. As Gabon navigates this transitional period, both domestic and international observers will be closely monitoring the government’s commitment to democratic reforms and the fulfillment of promises made during the coup.
