In Gabon’s First Election following the Coup in 2023, Voters Pick a New President

In a presidential election that the military authorities of Gabon thought would validate their hold on power, voters in the oil-rich nation went to the polls on Saturday.

It’s the first election since a political dynasty that lasted more than 50 years was overthrown by a military coup in 2023. The temporary president who spearheaded the coup is expected to win by a landslide.

Approximately 920,000 voters are enrolled at more than 3,000 polling places, including more than 28,000 overseas. Despite its enormous oil resources, one-third of the nation’s 2.3 million residents live in poverty.

President Ali Bongo Ondimba was overthrown almost two years ago by Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, 50, the previous chief of the republican guard, who was appointed temporary president.

Following the coup, Bongo was under house arrest, but he was released a week later because of health issues. Both his wife and son were arrested and accused of embezzlement and corruption. Bongo was not prosecuted.

Oligui Nguema pledged to hold “credible elections” in order to “return power to civilians” after the coup. However, once the parliament passed a new controversial electoral system that permitted military members to compete for office, he declared himself the temporary president and then a presidential contender.

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