Gabon Juntas Chief Brice Oligui Nguema Faces Election Challengers

Brice Oligui Nguema will contend with three opponents in Gabon’s presidential election on April 12. Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze emerges as a significant rival, while only four of 23 candidacies were approved. Oligui, a military leader, promises a return to civilian rule despite new electoral rules allowing military candidates.

Brice Oligui Nguema, the military leader of Gabon, is set to compete against three challengers in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for April 12. Among the candidates is Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under the former president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is viewed as a formidable rival. The final candidate list also includes lawyer Joseph Lapensee Essingone and doctor Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui.

Interior Minister Hermann Immongault disclosed that 23 individuals submitted their candidacies for the election; however, only four were approved as eligible. The minister did not provide specific details regarding the rejection of the other 19 candidates, which notably included prominent trade unionist Jean-Remy Yama.

Brice Oligui, who is running for president after leading a military coup that ended a 55-year regime of the Bongo family, previously declared his intent to return power to civilian leadership. However, a recently endorsed electoral code permits military officers to run for office, facilitating Oligui’s candidacy.

In summary, Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s military leader, faces a competitive election with three notable challengers, including the former prime minister. Only four out of 23 candidacies have been accepted for the presidential race, and while Oligui has committed to restoring civilian governance, new regulations permit military candidacies in the upcoming election.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com