Brice Oligui Nguema Clinches Landslide Victory in Gabon’s Post-Coup Election

France24

Gabon’s transitional president and coup leader, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has officially won the April 12 presidential election with a staggering 90.35% of the vote, according to provisional results released by the Interior Ministry. This victory, while expected, cements his grip on power just eight months after toppling the Bongo dynasty in a military coup that ended over five decades of dynastic rule.

Nguema emerged victorious in a field of eight candidates, with his closest challenger, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, securing just about 3% of the votes. The voter turnout, a relatively high 70.40%, suggests a politically engaged electorate—but questions linger over the fairness of the vote.

Bilie-By-Nze has voiced concerns about alleged irregularities in the vote-counting process, though no formal complaints have been filed. Nguema, on the other hand, has declared the polls “transparent” and a testament to Gabon’s renewed democratic will.

The results mark a turning point for the Central African nation. However, critics argue that the sheer scale of Nguema’s victory reflects the overwhelming influence of the military over electoral institutions, raising doubts about the authenticity of Gabon’s democratic reboot.

As Gabon awaits final certification of the results, eyes remain fixed on Nguema’s next steps: will he open up the political space or consolidate power further?