Gabonese voters have begun casting their ballots in a crucial presidential election that is expected to mark a significant turning point for the country, with Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of the August 2023 coup, widely tipped to become Gabon’s first elected president since the end of the Bongo family’s 55-year dynastic rule.
Oligui, who led the military takeover that ousted President Ali Bongo and ended years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement of Gabon’s wealth, has been leading in opinion polls. The election is a key moment for Gabon, a nation of 2.3 million people grappling with high unemployment, infrastructure challenges, and severe economic issues, including a large national debt and a lack of basic services like power and water. The country’s youth, particularly in rural areas, face unemployment rates above 60%, and significant infrastructure deficits, such as only 2,000 kilometers of usable roads out of 10,000.
Polling stations in the capital, Libreville, have seen long queues, as Gabonese citizens, including first-time voters like 30-year-old Aurele Ossantanga Mouila, hope for change. Ossantanga, a casino croupier, expressed his lack of confidence in the previous regime, highlighting the desire for a new direction under Oligui, despite some criticism of Oligui’s ties to the old regime.
The election is being closely watched as Oligui campaigns for a seven-year term, having taken on the role of transitional president after the coup. His main rival, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, has cast himself as a candidate for a complete break from the past, criticizing Oligui for continuing to represent the old system despite his promises to restore civilian rule. Bilie By Nze, who previously served as prime minister under Ali Bongo, claims Oligui’s leadership is too closely linked to the Bongo family’s legacy.
The election is set against the backdrop of Gabon’s ongoing economic challenges and a widespread desire for political stability and a return to constitutional order. Critics of Oligui argue that his rule, despite promises of reform, may not be as transformative as some hope, especially given his prominent role in the Bongo administration.
The vote is expected to be closely scrutinized, as the country hopes for a peaceful and transparent process after years of electoral unrest, including violence following the 2009 and 2016 elections. Results from the election are expected by Monday, with hopes high that the outcome will usher in a new era for Gabon’s governance and economic future.