📍 Libreville, Gabon – April 13, 2025 — For the first time in over five decades, voters in Gabon are heading to the polls without a member of the Bongo family on the presidential ballot. The election marks a historic shift for the oil-rich Central African nation, following the military coup that ousted President Ali Bongo 19 months ago.
The new face of power is coup leader and transitional president Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, who has since revised the constitution to allow himself to contest in Saturday’s presidential election.
A total of eight candidates are vying for the presidency, including just one woman, Gninga Chaning Zenaba. Among the contenders are:
- Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, transitional president and coup leader
- Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, former Prime Minister under the Bongo regime
- Stéphane Germain Iloko and Alain Simplice Boungouères, former members of the ruling PDG party
Approximately one million voters, including members of the Gabonese diaspora, are expected to cast their ballots before polls close at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT).
The Oligui Era: Reform or Regime Recycling?
Gen Oligui Nguema, widely seen as the frontrunner, has dominated campaign advertising in the capital Libreville. Posters declaring him “the builder” cover walls, taxis, and market stalls, symbolizing his image as a leader of action.
“He came in with a new way of doing things – action before speeches,” said taxi driver Landry Obame-Mezui.
But critics accuse the junta leader of engineering a flawed electoral process, pointing to constitutional changes that bar prominent rivals like Albert Ondo Ossa and shift the electoral advantage toward the incumbent. His main opponent, Bilie-by-Nze, criticized the military’s continued grip on politics, stating: “Go back to the barracks.”
Despite the democratic veneer, observers say the electoral code and transitional process have favoured the junta, casting doubt on the fairness of the contest.
Gabonese Call for Change
After 55 years of Bongo rule, many Gabonese voters are eager for real transformation.
“Our expectation is to have a new Gabon that is well-governed, well-managed, where there is social justice, equity and equal chances,” said voter Noel Kounta.
“The unemployment rate is so high… the president should focus more on jobs,” said Shonnys Akoulatele, a 30-year-old pharmacist.
Gabon, despite being rich in oil and timber, faces high poverty and unemployment rates. Over 35% of the population lives on less than $2 a day.
What’s Next?
Election results are expected to begin rolling in Sunday, but counting may extend into next week. The outcome could define whether Gabon is truly on the path to democratic renewal—or simply trading one form of autocracy for another.
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