Gabon chooses according to Putsch: High expectations of Brice Oligui Nguema!

Gabon chooses according to Putsch: High expectations of Brice Oligui Nguema!

Libreville, Gabun - On April 12, 2025, the people in Gabon chose a new president. This election took place one and a half years after the military coup, which initiated the takeover of General Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema on August 30, 2023. Oligui Nguema started as the most promising candidate after successfully sold his cousin Ali Bongo, the long -time head of state. Bongo has been in power since 2009 after taking over after the death of his father Omar Bongo, who ruled for 42 years. The political change initiated by Oligui was celebrated by many gabments as a liberation of corruption and poor government.

The election results are expected on Monday, April 14, 2025. 920,000 people were called for election. The turnout was over 87 percent, which indicates the great interest of the population at a new beginning. Oligui confidently commented and wished the best candidate. His most important opposite candidate was the former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie----Nze, while a total of eight candidates, including a woman, were available. Oligui dominated the election campaign: in the capital Libreville, the election posters of his competitors could hardly be seen, while long snakes were formed in front of the polling stations.

The career of Oligui Nguema

as commander of the Guard Républicaine, Oligui Nguema was responsible for the security of the president. He had a military career that started early and was trained at the royal military academy in Meknès, Morocco. After the death of Omar Bongo in 2009, Oligui initially worked in diplomatic positions before he was recalled in 2018 after Gabon. After a stroke of Ali Bongo, he took over the management of the secret service of Garde Républicaine and was later promoted to the commander.

Under his leadership, the unit of special units grew from around 30 to over 300 members. There is speculation that Oligui Nguema was already involved in strengthening Ali Bongos Power before the coup, since the announcement of his coup took place in the presidential palace. His control over the Garde Républicaine and his knowledge of diplomatic and military processes could have given him the decisive advantage in the seizure of power.

The challenges for gabun

Despite the hope of changes, Gabun is faced with considerable challenges, including infrastructure defects, bureaucracy and frequent power failures. The majority of the population lives in poverty, despite the wealth of raw materials in the country. According to the World Bank, unemployment is alarming among young people, with almost 40 percent.

The international community is concerned with concern. Since 2020 there have been a number of military coupons in Africa, which many viewed as a reaction to grievances and violence in the former colonies. View points for military intervention vary: A survey shows that 54% of Africans advocate military interventions with serious abuse of power, while 42% reject them. UN General Secretary António Guterres has described the recent events as an "epidemic of coups".

The EU -sentence -sent voter observer, but their access was refused to access several locations, which led to the consideration of the transparency and fairness of the election process. Oligui Nguema, however, described the vote as "transparent" and "peaceful". In Gabon, many citizens hope for change and progress, but in view of the geopolitical unrest in Africa remain skeptical about future developments.