General Brice Oligui Nguema went from unknown military man to Gabon's leader after troops carried him through streets chanting his name. He spent ten years away from Gabon before returning quietly to rise through army ranks. The general became interim president after overthrowing Ali Bongo, who had ruled with his family for almost 56 years. He plans to win April's election with his catchy "C'BON" campaign slogan, dancing for supporters as "The Power" plays.
The 50-year-old trained at Morocco's top military academy before joining Gabon's Republican Guard. He served as Omar Bongo's assistant until 2009, when Ali Bongo took power. After being sent abroad as a military attaché, he came back in 2018 and rose quickly to head the Republican Guard. Critics say he bought expensive American properties worth $1 million despite launching anti-corruption efforts.
Just hours after disputed election results showed Bongo winning again, the military canceled everything. Oligui Nguema told reporters that Gabonese people wanted change. He has won public support by paying pension arrears, nationalizing oil assets, including opposition voices, and building infrastructure. He promises to make the government better if elected, though some complain the military men who staged the coup aren't planning to give up power anytime soon.
The 50-year-old trained at Morocco's top military academy before joining Gabon's Republican Guard. He served as Omar Bongo's assistant until 2009, when Ali Bongo took power. After being sent abroad as a military attaché, he came back in 2018 and rose quickly to head the Republican Guard. Critics say he bought expensive American properties worth $1 million despite launching anti-corruption efforts.
Just hours after disputed election results showed Bongo winning again, the military canceled everything. Oligui Nguema told reporters that Gabonese people wanted change. He has won public support by paying pension arrears, nationalizing oil assets, including opposition voices, and building infrastructure. He promises to make the government better if elected, though some complain the military men who staged the coup aren't planning to give up power anytime soon.
