Gabon to vote in first presidential election since 2023 coup

 Gabon to vote in first presidential election since 2023 coup

Gabon approaches a pivotal moment in its political history this Saturday with its first presidential election since the August 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family's 56-year dynasty. The military takeover, led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, represented the culmination of a wave of coups across West and Central Africa that have eroded democratic institutions throughout the region. Despite initial promises to return power to civilians, Nguema declared himself head of the transitional government and announced his candidacy last month, positioning himself as the architect of liberation from the unpopular Bongo regime. With a political landscape heavily tilted in his favor—including a senate, national assembly, and constitutional court populated with loyalists—Nguema faces limited opposition, primarily from former Bongo prime minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, who has attempted to distance himself from the previous administration through his "Together for Gabon" movement. The election's outcome carries significant implications for this oil-rich nation of 2.5 million people, where decades of Bongo family rule concentrated vast wealth among a small elite while the majority of citizens endured poverty.

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The post-coup transitional period has shown modest economic improvement, with growth reaching 2.9% in 2024, up from 2.4% the previous year, driven by infrastructure projects and increased production in key sectors including oil, manganese, and timber. However, fundamental challenges persist, as Gabon remains overly dependent on its declining oil reserves—a vulnerability that both the Bongo regime and Nguema's interim government have pledged to address through economic diversification and development of agriculture, industry, and tourism. The memory of the 2016 election riots—when protesters torched the parliament building following Bongo's suspicious 95% victory margin in his home province—continues to shape the political atmosphere, with many citizens expressing cautious hope for meaningful change. "I hope the election results will lead to more transparent and accountable governance," remarked civil society activist Pépecy Ogouliguendé, articulating the widespread public desire for improvements in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. With polling stations scheduled to open at 8 am local time and results expected later that night, the election represents not just a test of Nguema's political legitimacy but also a critical indicator of whether Gabon can chart a course toward more equitable governance after generations of dynastic rule.

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