Gabon Votes Again: Is April 12 a Fresh Start or a Familiar Script?

France 24

On Saturday, April 12, the people of Gabon will return to the polls in a historic moment—marking their first national election since the military coup of August 2023 that ended over five decades of Bongo family dominance. Interim President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the general who led the coup, is seen as the frontrunner and is widely expected to secure a full term.

While the elections symbolise a step toward civilian rule, many are questioning whether the vote will truly reflect democratic renewal or merely legitimise the status quo under military watch. Nguema, despite initially promising a transitional government, has since consolidated power, raised his public profile, and positioned himself as a reformist alternative to the long-standing Bongo dynasty.

Critics warn that genuine democracy cannot emerge from elections organised by an unelected military regime without strong institutions, opposition participation, and press freedom. Still, some citizens express cautious optimism, hopeful that Nguema’s rise signals a generational shift from elite political recycling.

Gabon’s future hangs in the balance. Will April 12 mark the beginning of a more accountable era, or simply the continuation of old power under a new name? The people’s vote will answer, but the world will be watching closely.