Gabon is holding its breath as the country heads toward a critical presidential election, scheduled for Saturday. After a coup in August 2023 that ousted the Bongo family, Gabonese voters are set to choose their new leader for the first time in over five decades.
General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the mastermind behind the coup, has positioned himself as the race favorite. Oligui Nguema, who led the Republican Guard under both Ali Bongo and his late father Omar Bongo, has pledged to transform Gabon into a more democratic nation.
The 40-year-old general has garnered support, particularly among the youth, offering over 800 new vehicles through a hire-purchase scheme to boost employment. One of his supporters, Landry Obame-Mezui, a taxi driver in the capital Libreville, speaks of his renewed optimism after receiving one of these vehicles. “Before August 30 [2023], things weren’t going as I wished, but today I have something stable,” he says, proudly leaning on his new car, which sports a pro-Oligui Nguema slogan.
Despite his promises, Oligui Nguema faces some skepticism. Some critics argue that his government has not delivered on all of its promises, while others point out that many of the presidential candidates come from the old regime. His main rival, Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, served as prime minister under both of the previous Bongo presidents.
Oligui Nguema, however, has sought to distance himself from the former regime, framing himself as the leader of a much-needed transition. He has even taken action against corruption, arresting figures linked to the previous government.
This election marks a historic shift for Gabon, as for the first time since 1967, no member of the Bongo family or their ruling party, the PDG, will be on the ballot. Many see this as a sign of hope for a new era, while others remain cautious, questioning whether the transition will result in real change or simply a shift in power within the same political elite.
As Gabonese voters prepare for what could be a turning point in their nation’s history, the world watches closely to see if the country will embrace true democratic renewal.
