Gabon Holds First Presidential Election Since 2023 Coup

Gabonese citizens went to the polls on Saturday, April 12, 2025, to vote in the country’s first presidential election since the 2023 military coup that ended the decades-long Bongo dynasty. The election is widely expected to be won by General Brice Oligui Nguema, the junta leader and transitional president, who is one of eight candidates contesting the vote.

Oligui, who led the August 30, 2023 coup, is seen by many as the frontrunner, with his campaign dominating Libreville, Gabon’s capital. Campaign posters featuring his slogan “C’BON” — a pun on his initials and the French for “It’s good” — are plastered across the city, while rivals’ visibility remains minimal.

The election takes place amid deep socio-economic challenges, including over 60% rural youth unemployment, poor infrastructure, and a national debt projected to hit 80% of GDP in 2025, despite Gabon being rich in oil and natural resources.

Oligui, once head of the Republican Guard under Ali Bongo, has promised a “historic victory” and aims to transition from military rule to democratic leadership. His top rival, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, a former prime minister under Bongo, has criticized Oligui as a continuation of the past, calling for a “complete rupture” from the old regime.

Over 920,000 registered voters were eligible to vote, with polling stations open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Final results are expected by Monday. The government has promised a transparent and inclusive election to restore constitutional order and avoid the unrest that followed past elections in 2009 and 2016.