Gabon Presidential Election Candidates Include Coup Leader Nguema

Gabon’s Constitutional Court has approved eight candidates for the presidential election, including coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema. A new constitution allows Nguema to run, raising concerns about the junta’s hold on power. Notable opponents include former Prime Minister Alain Claude Billie By Nze and other candidates, including the only woman in the race, Gninga Chaning Zenaba. The election is scheduled for April 12.

The Constitutional Court of Gabon has sanctioned a list of eight candidates eligible for the upcoming presidential election, including interim President Brice Oligui Nguema, who ascended to power through a military coup in 2023. Nguema’s candidacy is notable as transitional leaders typically cannot participate in elections; however, a newly adopted constitution allows for his exemption, raising alarms among opposition voices and political analysts about the junta’s intentions to maintain control.

The junta has stated that the constitutional changes aim to pave the way toward returning to democratic governance. Nguema, aged 50, notably displaced the lengthy rule of Ali Bongo and his family over the nation, marking the eighth coup in the region between 2020 and 2023.

Alain Claude Billie By Nze, aged 57 and Bongo’s last prime minister, is anticipated to be Nguema’s primary competitor in the election, presenting himself as an independent candidate. Additional contenders include Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui, a former member of Bongo’s Gabonese Democratic Party, now leading the “large rainbow gathering,” and Joseph Lapensee Essigone, a tax inspector. Notably, Gabonese entrepreneur Gninga Chaning Zenaba is the sole female candidate in the race.

The presidential election is set for April 12.

In summary, Gabon’s forthcoming presidential election features a range of candidates, notably interim President Brice Oligui Nguema, exempted from the usual electoral restrictions for transitional leaders. His primary rival is Alain Claude Billie By Nze, with significant concerns expressed regarding the junta’s enduring influence over Gabonese politics. With the election scheduled for April 12, the political landscape remains contentious.

Original Source: www.marketscreener.com