Brice Oligui Nguema leads Gabon presidential election after 2023 coup

Gabon votes in pivotal presidential election as coup leader Brice Oligui seeks mandate amid high poverty and mounting debt.

Gabon's military leader and presidential candidate Brice Oligui Nguema (center) smiles as he casts his vote at the Centre Urban Pilot school polling station in Libreville on April 12, 2025, during the presidential election. Photo by Nao Mukadi/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Brice Oligui Nguema, the general who seized power in Gabon’s 2023 coup, appeared poised to become the country’s next elected leader on Saturday as voters cast their ballots in a historic presidential election. The election, featuring eight candidates, is the first since Oligui overthrew the Bongo dynasty in a swift August putsch. For many citizens, this moment represents not just a choice of leadership, but a referendum on the country’s future.

Brice Oligui Nguema leads Gabon presidential election continues to dominate headlines, voter turnout was strong across Libreville, the capital city. Long queues formed outside polling stations before dawn, signaling strong public engagement in a country where faith in elections has long been shaken by decades of autocratic rule and broken promises.

A break from the past

The election marks the first opportunity for Gabonese voters to choose a president without a Bongo family member on the ballot. For 55 years, the Bongo dynasty controlled the country, which despite its oil wealth, remains plagued by underdevelopment, poverty, and soaring unemployment.

Oligui, once head of the presidential guard under Ali Bongo, declared himself transitional president after last year’s coup. Since then, he has promised a new beginning: a government formed with civilian participation, a new constitution, and a return to democratic order. His campaign has leaned heavily on these pledges, urging citizens to see him as a reformer rather than a continuation of the old regime.

“I did not have confidence in the earlier regime,” said Aurele Ossantanga Mouila, a 30-year-old casino worker voting for the first time. “This time feels different.”

Challenges for the new leader

Gabon’s road ahead will not be easy. With a population of just 2.3 million, the country faces numerous economic and social challenges. Youth unemployment, particularly in rural areas, exceeds 60 percent. Infrastructure remains woefully inadequate—only 2,000 kilometers of the nation’s 10,000-kilometer road network are considered usable. Derailments on the country’s only railway line are frequent. Power and water shortages remain routine.

Despite its oil riches and vast mineral resources, nearly one in three Gabonese lives below the poverty line. The World Bank has reported that government debt rose to 73.3 percent of GDP last year and is projected to hit 80 percent this year.

Brice Oligui Nguema’s campaign slogan “C’BON”—a play on his initials and the French phrase for “It’s good”—has been plastered across Libreville. His closing rally was marked by music, dancing, and fiery promises. “The builder is here, the special candidate, the one you called,” he declared.

Still, critics remain skeptical. Many point out that Oligui was an integral part of the Bongo regime for years, serving as Omar Bongo’s aide-de-camp and later heading the powerful Republican Guard under Ali Bongo.

Opposition and voter sentiment

Oligui’s main challenger, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, formerly served as prime minister under Ali Bongo. He has positioned himself as the candidate of rupture—a clean break from the past. He accuses Oligui of offering only superficial change while maintaining the same corrupt power structures.

“The system he claims to reform is the one he helped preserve for decades,” Bilie By Nze said during his campaign. His words have resonated with some voters who remain wary of military influence in politics.

Still, Oligui is widely expected to win the vote, backed by a blend of populist messaging, state resources, and the image of a strongman leader delivering national stability.

Voting day unfolds peacefully

Polling began at 7:00 am local time and continued without major incidents. Nearly 920,000 Gabonese were eligible to vote across the country. Voting stations were expected to close by 6:00 pm, with official results anticipated on Monday.

In the run-up to the vote, the interior ministry emphasized transparency and accessibility. “Today all Gabonese are firmly in favour of a democratic game that is played within the rules,” said political analyst Neyer Kenga.

The hope is that this election marks a genuine turning point—an end to decades of manipulation, coups, and violence surrounding Gabonese elections. The 2009 and 2016 elections both ended in crisis, with the latter triggering deadly protests. And while Oligui’s 2023 coup was bloodless, it was nonetheless a reminder of how fragile Gabon’s institutions remain.

The stakes of leadership

For Gabon’s next president—whether Brice Oligui Nguema or a rival—the mandate will be immense. Beyond restoring public trust, the government must address economic stagnation, rebuild infrastructure, reduce corruption, and invest in youth development.

Moreover, the global community will be watching. Oligui has promised to restore constitutional order and transition Gabon back to civilian-led governance. But international observers and human rights organizations have questioned his sincerity.

As voters placed their ballots, they also cast their hopes—hopes for stability, accountability, and a government that serves its people. “We’ve been disappointed so many times,” said Fatou, a university student in Libreville. “This vote could be the beginning of something better. But we’ve learned not to celebrate too soon.”

If Brice Oligui Nguema leads Gabon’s presidential election to a decisive win, he will need to act quickly to show that this is not merely a new face atop the same old system. Institutional reforms, economic stimulus, and a credible plan to combat poverty and unemployment will be essential to prove that this vote was more than symbolic.

Gabon’s vast resources and small population mean the country has potential for dramatic transformation. But that potential has been stifled by decades of mismanagement and authoritarian rule. Whether this election can unlock a brighter future remains to be seen.

Still, in the streets of Libreville, there is cautious optimism. Not everyone believes change will come easily—but for the first time in years, many feel their voice might matter.