Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema Elected as Gabon’s President in Historic Vote

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been elected Gabon’s president with 90.35% of votes in a peaceful election post-coup. The election saw a 70.4% turnout with Nguema resigning his military post to run, signaling a transition back to constitutional order under new electoral guidelines.

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been officially elected as the president of Gabon following the recent presidential election. The results were announced by the Interior Ministry, indicating that Nguema garnered an impressive 90.35 percent of the votes cast. He has been serving as Gabon’s transitional president since the coup that removed former President Ali Bongo Ondimba in 2023.

His primary opponent, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, former prime minister, received approximately 3.02 percent of the votes. The election, which registered 920,200 voters—over 28,000 of whom were abroad—witnessed a voter turnout of 70.4 percent, marking this event as a significant moment in Gabon’s political landscape.

The presidential election signifies the culmination of Gabon’s political transition, moving towards a return to constitutional order. Notably, Nguema resigned from his military position in accordance with electoral regulations to run in the election.

Other candidates included Axel Stophene Ibinga Ibinga and Thierry Yvon Michel Ngoma, both noted businessmen, along with Zenaba Gninga Chaning, the only female candidate, who emphasized population growth and traditional practices in her campaign.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Jean Eric Nziengui Mangala remarked on the election’s smooth process and high voter turnout, describing the environment as calm and peaceful. Observers from the Citizen Observers Network monitored the vote, reporting that 74 percent of polling stations opened on time and 99 percent were equipped correctly.

With 48 monitoring missions and about 2,450 observers accredited, the election’s integrity was closely scrutinized. Following a constitutional referendum in November 2024, the newly established guidelines mandate a presidential term of seven years, which is renewable once, with elections conducted under a two-round system if necessary.

The electoral victory of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema marks a pivotal point in Gabon’s political transition. His resounding vote percentage reflects strong public support, while high voter turnout signifies active citizen engagement in the democratic process. This election not only reinstates Nguema but also showcases Gabon’s commitment to returning to a constitutional governance framework.

Original Source: english.news.cn