Gabon: Can Nguema Ride Coup Fame to Presidency?

Gabon’s military head of state, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who reversed his commitment to returning power to civilian rule and announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election on April 18, 2025, seems to be cruising to victory with the popularity he has garnered from the citizens. 

Oligui won the love of Gabonese people when he led the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba in August 2023 over allegations of irresponsible governance and large-scale embezzlement, promising a transitional period before restoring civilian rule. However, a new electoral code, approved by Gabon’s transitional parliament in January, now allows members of the military and magistrates to run for office, paving the way for his bid.

“After careful reflection and in response to your many appeals, I’ve decided to be a candidate in the April 18 presidential election,” Oligui declared in a speech in the capital, Libreville, coinciding with his 50th birthday.

Oligui outlined his vision for a “Gabon rising from the ashes,” pledging to tackle the country’s long-standing infrastructure challenges. “I am a builder, and I need your courage, your strength, to build this country,” he told supporters, undeterred by the heavy rain falling as he spoke.

As required by electoral rules, Oligui will temporarily shed his general’s uniform while running for office. If elected, he will assume civilian status. However, should he lose, he would return to the military barracks and resume his role as a general, but rumors had spread that Oligui resigned his military position on Saturday in preparation for his presidential bid.

His decision to run raises questions about the future of Gabon’s political transition and whether his presidency would mark a genuine break from military rule. Prior to his announcement, the general had been a guest at several public events, including a large military rally and a mass where priests released a flock of doves in his honor, all building up to the election. 

After 28 years in the army, a seven-year term in office “will not change his way of thinking and acting,” according to a message from Infos CTRI Officiel. The account also noted that members of Gabon’s defense and security forces make up 11 percent of the electorate in the country of 2.3 million.

Despite his strong military background, Oligui has sought to present himself as a leader who connects with the people. To appeal to young voters—half of the country’s population is under 20—the general even handed out free tickets in December to a concert by L’Oiseau Rare, a star of Gabon’s Ntcham music genre.

Riding a wave of popularity from a public eager to move past dynastic rule—and benefiting from electoral rules that sidelined key opponents—the 50-year-old candidate is widely expected to win an outright majority in the first round of voting.

His campaign slogan, “C’BON,” cleverly plays on his initials and the French phrase c’est bon, meaning “it’s good.”

His main opponent, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze—the last prime minister under ousted President Ali Bongo and other prominent figures who do not support the coup leader—poses the most significant challenge. Known by his initials, ACBBN, Bilie-By-Nze’s presence strengthens the competition, but the frontrunner remains well-positioned to avoid a run-off.

Oligui, who delivers his official speeches in full military attire, has vowed to tackle the pressing issues facing Gabon, particularly its frequent and debilitating power outages. He has commissioned two floating power plants, built by the Turkish company Karpowership, to Libreville’s electrical grid. 

However, critics argue that Oligui has failed to break from the decades-long rule of the Bongo family, whom he served for years. He has also pledged to address Gabon’s mounting debt, which now stands at 70 percent of GDP despite the country’s wealth in natural resources. 

In 2023, Gabon’s debt reached 7.287 billion CFA francs ($12 billion), with 4.614 billion francs owed to international creditors. The International Monetary Fund has expressed concern over the country’s financial burden. Oligui’s government, like on many other issues, has blamed the “catastrophic” legacy of the Bongo family’s 55 years in power.

Despite being one of Africa’s wealthiest nations per capita, Gabon still struggles with deep inequality, with one in three people living below the poverty line, according to the World Bank.

If Oligui wins the election and transitions from a military head of state to a civilian president, it remains to be seen whether this shift will bring any real change to the country’s status.