Gabon holds its first presidential election post-2023 military coup, with around 920,000 registered voters. Interim President Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema seeks legitimacy and a seven-year term, while his primary challenger, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, questions the election’s fairness. Voter opinions are divided, showcasing both support for military governance and criticism of its continuity with past regimes.
In Gabon, voters participated in a presidential election on Saturday, which marks the first electoral exercise since the military coup of 2023. The military rulers are aiming to legitimize their authority following this coup, which overthrew a political regime lasting more than five decades. Analysts suggest that the interim president, who orchestrated the coup, is highly likely to secure a significant victory.
Approximately 920,000 individuals are registered to vote across more than 3,000 polling stations, including over 28,000 voters residing overseas. Despite Gabon’s substantial oil resources, a third of its population of 2.3 million lives in poverty. The interim president, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, seeks to reinforce his control with a proposed seven-year term.
After the coup, Ali Bongo Ondimba, the ousted president, was initially placed under house arrest but was released after a week for health reasons. His family faced corruption charges but he was not charged himself. Following his rise to power, Oligui Nguema committed to transitioning power back to civilians via credible elections, framing his campaign around the theme, “We Build Together.”
A new electoral code was adopted which controversially allows military personnel to participate in elections. Additionally, a newly established constitution has set the presidential term at seven years, extendable once, and barred family succession to the presidency while abolishing the prime minister’s position.
Eight candidates are contesting the presidency, with Oligui Nguema’s primary opponent being Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, a former prime minister under Bongo. Bilie-By-Nze aims to reform public finances, create employment opportunities, and redefine Gabon’s ties with France. However, he expressed skepticism regarding the fairness of the election, stating, “Everything has been done to lock down the vote.”
While Gabon maintains a significant military presence of 300 French troops, Oligui Nguema has not indicated a shift in this arrangement, whereas Bilie-By-Nze has expressed the importance of reevaluating these colonial ties, asserting “no subject is off limits” for renegotiation.
On election day, many individuals, spanning various age groups, queued peacefully to cast their votes. Some voters conveyed their opposition to the interim president. For instance, Jonas Obiang criticized Oligui Nguema for continuing alliances with those from the previous regime, saying, “General Oligui Nguema led the country with the same people who plundered the country.”
Conversely, Jean Bie commended the military’s governance under Oligui Nguema, citing project completion that benefited the populace within a brief period. He expressed hope for further progress in the upcoming term, stating he would support the interim president based on prior accomplishments.
In summary, the presidential election in Gabon is a crucial moment for its citizens, reflecting a significant political transition following a military coup in 2023. General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema aims to solidify his power, while his main challenger, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, seeks to alter Gabon’s economic and colonial ties. Voter sentiment appears mixed, with some hopeful for continued improvements under military leadership and others skeptical about the legitimacy of the election process. The outcome of this election may shape Gabon’s future direction significantly.
Original Source: www.news4jax.com
