LIBREVILLE, Gabon – April 13, 2025 — Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s transitional government and the military general who orchestrated the 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family’s five-decade rule, has claimed a resounding victory in the nation’s presidential election, securing 90.35% of the vote, according to provisional results released by the Ministry of the Interior on Sunday.
The result, announced just a day after the vote, confirms Oligui Nguema’s transition from military strongman to elected president, formalizing his grip on power nearly two years after he led a bloodless coup that ousted long-time President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
A Dominant Performance at the Polls
Oligui Nguema cast his ballot on April 12 at the Centre Urban Pilot School in the capital, Libreville. He faced eight candidates in the race, but none mounted a significant challenge. His closest rival, former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, received just 3.02% of the vote. The remaining contenders all failed to cross the 1% threshold.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, voter turnout reached 70.4%, with approximately 920,000 registered voters, including over 28,000 residing overseas. The strong turnout underscores the high stakes of Gabon’s first presidential election since the 2023 coup.
Oligui Nguema is now poised to serve a seven-year term, renewable once under Gabon’s new transitional constitution. His overwhelming mandate leaves little doubt about the current political landscape in the oil-rich but poverty-stricken Central African nation.
A Pledge of Civilian Rule Revisited
Following the August 2023 coup, Oligui Nguema had pledged a swift return to civilian governance. However, his recent decision to run for president sparked debate over the sincerity of that promise. In early March 2025, he officially entered the race, framing his candidacy as a move toward “stability” and “sovereign legitimacy.”
To meet eligibility requirements, Oligui Nguema was granted leave from his military post, temporarily stepping down as head of the transitional government to present himself as a civilian candidate.
Critics argue that the election merely legitimizes military rule under a democratic veneer. Nonetheless, the decisive nature of his victory, combined with apparent public support, gives him broad authority to shape Gabon’s political future.
Observers Cite High Transparency, Minor Irregularities
Domestic election observers reported a largely smooth electoral process. The Gabonese Civil Society Organizations Observation Mission noted that 94.8% of polling stations operated under “satisfactory conditions,” with transparency rated highly in 98.6% of observed locations.
However, the disparity in candidate representation at polling stations raised some concerns. Oligui Nguema’s campaign was present at nearly 70% of observed stations, while Bilie By Nze’s team had representatives at just 8.2%. While this did not appear to affect the overall vote count, it underscores the logistical and organizational advantages enjoyed by the transitional leader.
International election observers were limited, as several Western monitoring organizations were either not invited or declined to participate due to concerns over electoral fairness.
A Historic Moment in Gabonese Politics
This election marks a pivotal moment in Gabon’s modern history. The country had been ruled by the Bongo family since 1967, first under Omar Bongo and later his son, Ali Bongo, who took office in 2009. That era came to an abrupt end on August 30, 2023, when military forces led by General Oligui Nguema detained President Bongo hours after the announcement of disputed election results.
The coup was largely peaceful and met with public celebration in several urban centers, where citizens expressed fatigue with dynastic politics and allegations of corruption. Since then, Oligui Nguema has governed as interim president, promising institutional reforms, economic renewal, and a new social contract.
His transition from military to civilian leadership will now be tested against those promises.
Oil Wealth, Poverty, and the Path Ahead
Despite possessing substantial natural resources — especially oil, manganese, and timber — Gabon has long struggled with deep inequality. More than a third of its 2.3 million citizens live below the poverty line, a contradiction that has fueled both domestic unrest and international criticism.
Oligui Nguema’s campaign focused heavily on pledges to diversify the economy, tackle corruption, and improve infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. His supporters hail him as a reformist leader capable of resetting Gabon’s trajectory after decades of political stagnation.
In his post-election remarks, Oligui Nguema promised to “govern for all Gabonese” and called for national unity. “This vote is not just a personal victory,” he said. “It is a collective mandate to build a new Gabon — one of justice, prosperity, and peace.”
Skepticism Lingers Despite Clear Mandate
Still, questions remain about the democratic integrity of the process and the true extent of political pluralism under Oligui Nguema’s rule. Opposition figures and civil society groups have warned that power could once again become centralized under a single figure, albeit under different circumstances.
“For many Gabonese, this election was less about choice and more about inevitability,” said political analyst Monique Mboulou, based in Libreville. “The margin of victory leaves little room for political dissent, but it also gives Oligui Nguema the legitimacy he sought on the world stage.”
Regional leaders and African Union officials have so far offered cautious congratulations, emphasizing the importance of continued democratic development.
As the final official results are awaited and potential legal challenges assessed, one fact is indisputable: Brice Oligui Nguema now holds a powerful mandate to steer Gabon into its next chapter — one shaped by both his military past and civilian ambitions.
