Gabon’s military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, has emerged victorious in the country’s presidential election, securing an overwhelming 90% of the vote, according to provisional results released by the Interior Ministry on April 13. The election followed Nguema’s 2023 military coup that overthrew the Bongo family’s 55-year dynastic rule, with Nguema widely expected to win. His main opponent, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, garnered only about 3% of the vote, marking a dramatic gap in support.
Despite concerns raised by Bilie-By-Nze about potential issues with the vote counting, Nguema reassured the public that the electoral process was fair and transparent. Speaking exclusively to Al Jazeera after his victory, Nguema vowed to restore dignity to the Gabonese people and work toward a better future for the country.
This victory marks a significant political shift for Gabon, as the country moves away from long-standing dynastic rule to a new era under military leadership. Gabonese citizens and the international community are watching closely as Nguema takes on the mantle of leadership, with hopes of stability and reform following years of political tension.
“I will give back to the people what they have given me today. And everything that has been stolen from the people, I want to return to them,” Nguema told Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem.