Gabon: Presidential Race Narrowed to Four Candidates

Editorial : Africa Eye

The upcoming Gabonese presidential election, set for April 12, will be contested by four candidates, including the transitional leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, and former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze. According to the official list released by the Ministry of the Interior, out of 34 individuals who initially expressed interest, only four candidacies were deemed valid. The other two contenders are tax inspector Joseph Lapensée Essingone and physician Stéphane Germain Iloko Boussengui, while notable figures like union leader Jean-Rémy Yama were excluded. Candidates have the option to appeal their rejection before the Constitutional Court.

General Oligui Nguema, who came to power following the August 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year rule, had pledged to return power to civilians. After constitutional and electoral reforms, including allowing military figures to run for office, he formally announced his candidacy on his 50th birthday. Presenting himself as an independent, he ruled out forming a political party, opting instead for a platform called “Le Mouvement des Bâtisseurs.” He has called on political groups, unions, and intellectuals to join his movement to “build the nation and move forward.”