Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema Elected as President of Gabon Following Landslide Victory

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been elected president of Gabon, winning 90.35% of the vote in the recent election. His main opponent, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, secured only 3.02%. The election, witnessing a 70.4% voter turnout, was noteworthy for its peaceful conduct and organizational efficiency. Under new constitutional provisions, presidential terms are set for seven years, renewable once.

On April 13, 2025, Gabon’s transitional leader, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, was declared elected president following the presidential election held the prior day. The official announcement was made by Interior Minister Hermann Immongault, stating that Nguema garnered an impressive 90.35 percent of the total votes cast during the election. This marked the first presidential election in Gabon since the coup that took place in 2023, leading to Nguema’s previous elevation to leadership.

During the election, a total registered voter count of 920,200 was recorded, including over 28,000 individuals residing abroad. Notably, the voter turnout reached 70.4 percent. Nguema’s closest rival, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, who previously served as Prime Minister under the Bongo administration, received approximately 3.02 percent of the votes, highlighting a significant discrepancy in support between the candidates.

In accordance with Gabon’s Electoral Code, Nguema resigned from his military position prior to running for presidency. Other candidates in the election included Axel Stophene Ibinga Ibinga and Thierry Yvon Michel Ngoma, both businessmen, and the only female candidate, Zenaba Gninga Chaning, who focused her campaign on population growth and the revival of traditional practices.

Interior Ministry spokesperson, Jean Eric Nziengui Mangala, emphasized the election’s calm atmosphere and notable voter engagement in a statement made on the Gabon 24 public television channel. Additionally, the Citizen Observers Network reported high operational standards, noting that 74 percent of polling stations opened on schedule and 99 percent were well-equipped with necessary voting materials, overseen by approximately 2,450 observers from 48 national and international missions.

Gabon’s newly enacted constitution, which received public approval in a November 2024 referendum, stipulates a seven-year presidential term that may be renewed only once. The electoral process now employs a two-round voting system where a candidate must achieve an absolute majority in the first round to secure victory; otherwise, a runoff occurs between the top two candidates.

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s election as Gabon’s president, after securing a majority of the votes, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape post-coup. With a voter turnout of 70.4 percent and a well-monitored electoral process, this election signifies a crucial transition towards reinstating constitutional governance in Gabon. The new electoral framework will guide future elections, with a presidential term articulated under the newly ratified constitution.

Original Source: english.news.cn