Gabon Elects New President Junta Chief Brice Oligui Nguema Frontrunner

Gabon is set to hold a pivotal presidential election on April 12, 2025, with junta chief Brice Oligui Nguema widely seen as the leading candidate. The election marks a critical moment for the oil-rich central African nation as it transitions from military to civilian rule after the August 2023 coup that ended over five decades of Bongo family rule. Nguema, who led the coup, has campaigned as the “candidate of the people”, attempting to soften his image as a military leader while embracing populist strategies and social media to garner public support.

Key Highlights

• Election Date: April 12, 2025 (Polls open 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.)
• Main Frontrunner: Brice Oligui Nguema – current junta chief and transitional leader.
• Previous Regime: End of 56-year Bongo dynasty following a coup in August 2023.
• Number of Candidates: 8 candidates in the race.
• Main Challenger: Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze – last Prime Minister under Ali Bongo.
• New Electoral Code: Adopted in January 2025; Nguema suspended military duties to comply.

Brice Oligui Nguema – Profile and Campaign

• Background: 50-year-old career soldier, formerly aide-de-camp to Omar Bongo and head of the presidential guard.
• Campaign Slogan: “C’BON” – play on French “C’est bon” and his initials.
• Style: Social-media-savvy, populist imagery, viral dance trends, mass rallies.
• Public Image: “Candidate of the people”; attempts to shift from “military strongman” image.
• Criticism: Accused of perpetuating corruption and failing to truly break from the Bongo era.

Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze – Main Opposition

• Background: Former Prime Minister; part of the Bongo regime.
• Positioning: “Clean break” candidate despite links to previous administration.
• Campaign Focus: Door-to-door campaigning in poor areas, anti-dictatorship narrative.

Other Candidates

• Joseph Lapensee Essingone – Tax inspector
• Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui – Medical doctor
• Alain Simplice Boungoueres – Senior civil servant
• Axel Stophene Ibinga Ibinga, Thierry Yvon Michel Ngoma, Zenaba Gninga Chaning – Entrepreneurs (Zenaba is the sole woman candidate)

Election Challenges and National Issues

• Poverty: 1 in 3 Gabonese live below the poverty line despite resource wealth.
• Infrastructure: Poor roads, outdated electric grid, and unreliable public services.
• Economic Dependence: Over-reliance on oil exports, need for diversification.
• Debt Burden: Debt stood at 73.3% of GDP in 2024; projected to reach 80% in 2025.
• Public Expectation: Return to civilian, constitutional order; improved governance.

Election Oversight & Transparency

• Interior Ministry’s Assurance: Results by April 16; transparent and inclusive process.
• Analyst View: People hope for democratic stability and peaceful transition.
• Past Election Violence: 2009 and 2016 saw violent protests post-results; current vote seen as test of stability.