Former Gabonese Prime Minister Critiques Election Outcome as Unfair

Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, the former Prime Minister of Gabon, condemned the recent presidential election results as unjust and opaque. Oligui Nguema won decisively with 90.35% of the votes, while Bilie-By-Nze received only 3%. The election marked Gabon’s first since the 2023 military coup that overthrew President Ali Bongo. Bilie-By-Nze plans to continue his political involvement despite the loss.

In Gabon, the recent presidential election outcome has been met with criticism from the former Prime Minister, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who expressed concerns over the election’s fairness. On Monday, he stated that the election held on April 12 was neither transparent nor free, declaring, “What we experienced on Saturday, April 12 was not a free election.” He further asserted, “Never, since entering politics, have I witnessed such a hijacking of all State resources.”

Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze lost to Oligui Nguema, who achieved an overwhelming victory with 90.35% of the votes. Bilie-By-Nze obtained only 3% of the votes, despite running against seven other candidates. This election marked Gabon’s first since the military coup in 2023 and was deemed crucial for its 2.3 million citizens, many of whom live in poverty despite the country’s abundant oil resources.

Oligui Nguema, who previously led the Republican Guard, had orchestrated a peaceful coup in August 2023, ousting long-time President Ali Bongo Ondimba and bringing an end to a 55-year rule initiated by Bongo’s father, Omar Bongo. Nguema’s objective is to secure a seven-year term in office.

Bilie-By-Nze, who served as prime minister for just over seven months before the coup, extended his well wishes to the new government and affirmed his commitment to continue participating in the political arena.

The criticism from Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze underscores concerns regarding the electoral process in Gabon following a military coup. With a landslide victory for Oligui Nguema, the political landscape appears to be shifting, yet the former prime minister’s remarks reflect ongoing apprehensions regarding democracy and state resource utilization in the nation. Bilie-By-Nze’s intention to remain active in politics suggests that the discourse surrounding governance in Gabon will persist.

Original Source: www.wral.com