In brief
Gabon has officially elected General Brice Oligui Nguema as its president, further solidifying a military takeover that began with a coup in 2023.
Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema has claimed victory in the Gabon presidential election, securing over 90% of the vote according to provisional results released by the Interior Ministry on Sunday. His main challenger, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, acknowledged defeat on Monday. The Constitutional Court is anticipated to confirm the official results in the upcoming days. Despite this, many opponents and political analysts have raised concerns over the fairness of the electoral process, suggesting it was designed to ensure General Nguema’s win. Having led a coup last year, this marks a significant transition for the oil-rich West African nation, as General Nguema prepares to govern for the next seven years. He is now the second military leader in Central Africa to be elected following a seizure of power, amidst a growing trend in the region where military figures have taken charge; eight coups have occurred in West and Central Africa over the past five years. Similar to Nguema, Mahamat Déby, the military leader in Chad, was declared the winner of a presidential election following his rise to power in 2021. This electoral victory not only reflects a consolidation of military influence but also raises questions about democratic processes in the region.
