Gabon votes for a new president this Saturday. It marks the first election since army officers kicked out the Bongo family in 2023, ending their 56-year control. Military leaders hope this vote makes their power official. Back in August 2023, Brice Oligui Nguema led soldiers who took charge of the country. This happened during three years when many African nations saw their armies grab control.
Nguema first said he would give power back to regular people. Instead, he made himself the temporary government boss. Last month, he surprised nobody when he said he wanted the presidency. His main rival comes from the old government - Alain Claude Bilie By Nze served under Bongo but started a new group called "Together for Gabon" to look different from before. Most people think Nguema will win easily because he already runs everything and became popular after removing the hated Bongo.
Nguema talks about a Gabon that "rises from the ashes" and calls himself someone who will "build this nation." Many of the 2.5 million Gabonese like these ideas. For decades, a small group around the Bongo family lived rich off oil money as everyone else stayed poor. When Ali Bongo claimed victory in 2016 with 95% of votes from his home area, angry citizens burned down the parliament building. When Bongo announced another big win in 2023, Nguema's officers stepped in minutes later and called it fake.
The country has shown promise lately. The economy grew 2.9% in 2024, up from 2.4% last year. New building projects started by Nguema's government helped, plus increased oil, manganese, and timber production. But Gabon relies heavily on oil fields that produce less each year. Nguema promised to expand farming, factories, and tourism just as Bongo did before him. Pépecy Ogouliguendé, a local activist, hopes for "more transparent and accountable governance" after the election.
Voting starts at 8 am Saturday and ends at 6 pm. Officials expect results later that night. Citizens want better schools, healthcare, and roads after decades of broken promises. The election represents a chance for change, but questions remain about whether a military leader can deliver true reform or if power simply changed hands among elites. Many Gabonese feel cautious hope mixed with memories of past disappointments as they head to ballot boxes this weekend.
Nguema first said he would give power back to regular people. Instead, he made himself the temporary government boss. Last month, he surprised nobody when he said he wanted the presidency. His main rival comes from the old government - Alain Claude Bilie By Nze served under Bongo but started a new group called "Together for Gabon" to look different from before. Most people think Nguema will win easily because he already runs everything and became popular after removing the hated Bongo.
Nguema talks about a Gabon that "rises from the ashes" and calls himself someone who will "build this nation." Many of the 2.5 million Gabonese like these ideas. For decades, a small group around the Bongo family lived rich off oil money as everyone else stayed poor. When Ali Bongo claimed victory in 2016 with 95% of votes from his home area, angry citizens burned down the parliament building. When Bongo announced another big win in 2023, Nguema's officers stepped in minutes later and called it fake.
The country has shown promise lately. The economy grew 2.9% in 2024, up from 2.4% last year. New building projects started by Nguema's government helped, plus increased oil, manganese, and timber production. But Gabon relies heavily on oil fields that produce less each year. Nguema promised to expand farming, factories, and tourism just as Bongo did before him. Pépecy Ogouliguendé, a local activist, hopes for "more transparent and accountable governance" after the election.
Voting starts at 8 am Saturday and ends at 6 pm. Officials expect results later that night. Citizens want better schools, healthcare, and roads after decades of broken promises. The election represents a chance for change, but questions remain about whether a military leader can deliver true reform or if power simply changed hands among elites. Many Gabonese feel cautious hope mixed with memories of past disappointments as they head to ballot boxes this weekend.
