Gabon conducted its first presidential election since the 2023 military coup, with interim president General Oligui Nguema seeking to establish legitimacy. Approximately 920,000 voters participated, and opposition candidate Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze criticized the electoral process. Opinions on military governance are mixed, revealing a populace grappling with economic and political challenges amid enduring ties to France.
In Gabon, voters participated in a presidential election on Saturday, marking the first such event since a military coup in 2023 disrupted a political dynasty lasting over five decades. The incumbent military leadership, hoping to legitimize their rule, anticipates a decisive victory for interim president General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Approximately 920,000 citizens are eligible to vote, including more than 28,000 abroad, across 3,000 polling stations, despite significant poverty affecting a third of the population.
General Oligui Nguema ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago and aspires to secure a seven-year term. Following the coup, Bongo was briefly placed under house arrest, with several of his family members facing corruption charges; however, he himself remains uncharged. Oligui Nguema has pledged credible elections and seeks to unify Gabon with his campaign slogan, “We Build Together.”
The recently adopted electoral code permits military personnel to engage in elections, a change that has garnered criticism. The new constitution limits presidents to a single renewable seven-year term and bars family succession. Eight candidates are vying for the presidency, with Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, Bongo’s former prime minister, presenting strong opposition by advocating for economic reform and renegotiating France’s historic influence in Gabon.
Bilie-By-Nze has expressed skepticism about the election’s fairness, alleging that attempts have been made to suppress the vote. In the backdrop of diminishing French influence in its former African colonies, Gabon’s ties to France remain intact, with over 300 French troops stationed in the country. While Oligui Nguema has not indicated plans to remove French military support, Bilie-By-Nze asserts that a renegotiation is essential.
As voting commenced, citizens from various demographics assembled peacefully at polling stations. Some, like voter Jonas Obiang, indicated intentions to vote for Bilie-By-Nze, criticizing Oligui Nguema’s connection to previous corrupt officials. Obiang remarked, “General Oligui Nguema led the country with the same people who plundered the country, the former members of the Bongo regime. I will not vote for him.”
Conversely, supporters of Oligui Nguema, such as construction worker Jean Bie, highlighted the positive outcomes of military governance, stating that progress has been made on several projects within 19 months. Bie expressed hope for continued advancements: “In 19 months, General Oligui Nguéma has completed several projects expected of the former regime. I’m voting for him, hoping he’ll do more over the next seven years.”
In summary, Gabon held its first presidential election following the 2023 military coup, with interim president General Oligui Nguema aiming to secure a seven-year term. Despite efforts to legitimize military rule, dissenting voices emphasize economic reform and transparency. The election not only underscores Gabon’s fraying relations with France but also points to a populace divided over the future direction of governance. These pivotal developments will shape the nation’s political landscape moving forward.
Original Source: www.news4jax.com
