Gabon on Saturday began its presidential election, the first since the military coup in 2023.
Citizens headed to the polls to choose from eight candidates, including Brice Oligui Nguema, the current leader who took control after overthrowing the Bongo family.
Oligui, who led the coup that ended the 55-year reign of the Bongo dynasty, has been the front-runner in pre-election surveys.
The capital city, Libreville, saw long lines of voters outside polling stations, where people stood waiting to cast their ballots.
Among them was Aurele Ossantanga Mouila, 30, who was voting for the first time after finishing his job as a casino croupier.
Mouila expressed his dissatisfaction with the previous government, which had been accused of mismanaging the country’s wealth.
Oligui, who assumed the role of transitional president after the coup, has been overseeing the formation of a new government that includes both military leaders and civilians.
His focus has been on creating a new constitution for the country. Gabon, with a population of 2.3 million, is dealing with high unemployment rates, frequent power and water shortages, poor infrastructure, and mounting national debt.
Despite promises of progress, the country faces challenges such as a lack of usable roads, with only 2,000 kilometers of the 10,000 kilometers of roads being in good condition. Youth unemployment in rural areas is also alarmingly high, exceeding 60%.
In the race, Oligui is running for a seven-year term against several rivals, including Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, a former prime minister under Ali Bongo.
Oligui’s campaign slogan, “C’BON,” a play on the words “It’s good,” has been plastered throughout Libreville, while his opponents have struggled to gain visibility.
Polling began at 7:00 AM local time and will continue until 6:00 PM.
The results are expected to be announced by Monday.
Oligui has predicted a “historic victory” in the election, which will determine the future leadership of the country.
For voters like Mouila, this election represents an important shift after years of dissatisfaction with the previous administration.
However, Oligui’s critics argue that his ties to the old regime raise concerns about whether his leadership will truly bring change or maintain the status quo.
The country’s debt stands at 73.3% of its GDP, with projections indicating it could rise to 80% in 2025.
With one-third of Gabon’s population living below the poverty line, the election is seen as an opportunity to address these issues.
The government has assured the public that the election will be transparent and fair, a statement made necessary by previous election-related unrest, including violent protests in 2009 and 2016.
The interior ministry is working to ensure the electoral process is accessible to all Gabonese citizens, hoping to restore trust in the political system.
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