Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema has gone from leading a military coup to becoming the president of Gabon, winning more than 90% of the vote in the country’s April 12 election. Just last year, he appeared on TV in military gear, announcing the end of the Bongo family’s 55-year rule. Now, he wears a suit and prepares to begin a seven-year term as president.
Many people in Gabon see him as a hero for removing the Bongo dynasty. He once worked under both Omar Bongo and Ali Bongo, but when he led the 2023 takeover, he gained public support. Some voters say they supported him because they were tired of the corruption and inequality that grew under the Bongos. Others are not so sure. They say Nguema was part of that same system and question whether anything will really change.
His main opponent in the election, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, accepted the loss but called the election “a farce.” He said Nguema had access to government resources and media, giving him an unfair advantage. Some local critics, like union leader Jean-Rémy Yama, say the vote numbers were likely inflated. But overall, most people in Gabon and abroad accept the results. Still, the Constitutional Court will give the final word.
Nguema’s victory is part of a new pattern happening in several African countries. Military leaders are taking power through coups and then using elections to stay in charge. This has happened in places like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad. The African Union has spoken out against this trend, warning that it puts democracy at risk.
For Gabon, this election could shape the country’s future. It has a lot of oil and natural resources, but everyday people still struggle with poverty, joblessness, and poor public services. Nguema says he wants to fix these problems. He promises to fight corruption, create jobs, and give people more trust in their government. But many are unsure if he can deliver on those promises—or if he even wants to.
Political experts say Nguema’s support comes mostly from his decision to end the Bongo era. But now that he’s in power, people will expect real change. If he fails, hope could quickly turn into disappointment.
In the capital, Libreville, the mood is mixed. Some are celebrating a new beginning. Others are waiting to see what Nguema will actually do. One local professor put it simply: “People gave him a chance because he got rid of the old system. Now he has to prove that he can build something better.”
The road ahead won’t be easy. Nguema has the power. What he does with it will decide whether Gabon moves forward—or stays stuck in the past.
