Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema Elected President of Gabon Following 2025 Election

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been elected president of Gabon, securing 90.35% of the vote in the April 2025 election. This marks the first presidential election since the 2023 coup that ousted former President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The election saw a voter turnout of 70.4%, with significant participation from both domestic and international observers, reflecting a commitment to restoring constitutional order in Gabon.

On April 13, 2025, Gabon’s transitional leader Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was officially declared president following a vote the previous day. According to the Interior Ministry, Nguema attained an impressive 90.35 percent of the total ballots cast. This election comes after his leadership following the 2023 coup that deposed former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, consolidating his position in Gabon’s political landscape.

His main contender, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, who previously served as prime minister under Bongo, received approximately 3.02 percent of the vote. The election recorded a total of 920,200 registered voters, with an impressive turnout of 70.4 percent, including more than 28,000 voters residing abroad.

This presidential election marked the first since the coup and represents a critical step towards Gabon’s restoration of constitutional governance. Nguema resigned from his military role in compliance with electoral regulations to participate in the election. Other candidates included business professionals Axel Stophene Ibinga Ibinga and Thierry Yvon Michel Ngoma, as well as the only female candidate, Zenaba Gninga Chaning, who emphasized traditional values and population growth in her campaign.

Jean Eric Nziengui Mangala, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, highlighted the high voter turnout, stating that the election occurred in a “calm and peaceful atmosphere.” Observers, including the Citizen Observers Network, reported that 74 percent of polling stations opened on schedule and 99 percent were adequately equipped with necessary voting materials.

In total, 48 observer missions from national and international bodies, amounting to around 2,450 observers, were stationed to monitor the election. Gabon’s newly ratified constitution, passed by referendum in November 2024, limits the presidential term to seven years with only one renewal permitted. The election process has been designed with a two-round system to ensure a clear winner, should no candidate achieve an absolute majority in the first round.

In conclusion, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s significant electoral victory marks a pivotal moment in Gabon’s political transition following the coup. With a high voter turnout and stable electoral conditions, the election reflects the nation’s desire for constitutional stability. The new constitutional framework and electoral guidelines aim to reinforce democratic processes moving forward, offering a renewed hope for Gabonese governance.

Original Source: english.news.cn