The interior ministry announced that military leader Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema won Gabon's presidential election with more than 90% of the votes. His closest challenger, former Prime Minister Alain Bilie-By-Nze, received just 3%. Officials reported a high voter turnout of 87% among the nearly 920,000 registered voters across 3,000 polling stations.
This marks the first election since Oligui Nguema led a 2023 coup that ended the 50-year political dynasty of the Bongo family. The election holds major importance for Gabon's 2.3 million people, many of whom live in poverty despite the nation's oil wealth. Bilie-By-Nze claimed Oligui Nguema used government resources unfairly during his campaign, though officials denied these accusations.
Local observers said almost 95% of polling places operated properly with satisfactory transparency. Oligui Nguema had representatives at most voting locations, but his main opponent maintained far fewer. The former Republican Guard commander who toppled President Ali Bongo seeks a seven-year term to solidify his control.
Some voters have expressed disappointment with military leadership since the takeover. "The military has failed," said Antoine Nkili, an unemployed 27-year-old law graduate. They promised to reform institutions, but they haven't. Instead, they've enriched themselves."
This marks the first election since Oligui Nguema led a 2023 coup that ended the 50-year political dynasty of the Bongo family. The election holds major importance for Gabon's 2.3 million people, many of whom live in poverty despite the nation's oil wealth. Bilie-By-Nze claimed Oligui Nguema used government resources unfairly during his campaign, though officials denied these accusations.
Local observers said almost 95% of polling places operated properly with satisfactory transparency. Oligui Nguema had representatives at most voting locations, but his main opponent maintained far fewer. The former Republican Guard commander who toppled President Ali Bongo seeks a seven-year term to solidify his control.
Some voters have expressed disappointment with military leadership since the takeover. "The military has failed," said Antoine Nkili, an unemployed 27-year-old law graduate. They promised to reform institutions, but they haven't. Instead, they've enriched themselves."
