Brice Oligui Nguema Wins Gabon Presidential Election with 90.35% Vote

Brice Oligui Nguema has been elected President of Gabon with 90.35% of the votes, solidifying power after the August coup that ended Bongo family rule. His main opponent, Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, received only 3.02% of the vote. Nguema aims to diversify the economy and reduce poverty. Voter turnout was 70.40%, indicative of increased public engagement post-coup.

Brice Oligui Nguema has been elected President of Gabon with 90.35% of the votes, according to the interior minister’s announcement of provisional results. Nguema’s election follows a coup in August 2023, which displaced the Bongo family after over 50 years in power. Gabon, an oil-producing country with approximately 2.5 million residents, is witnessing a significant power shift.

Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, the leading opponent and former prime minister, garnered only 3.02% of the votes in the election featuring eight candidates. Nguema campaigned under the slogan “We Build Together,” projecting himself as a reformist dedicated to dismantling corruption among the old leadership.

Nguema aims to reduce the country’s dependency on oil by fostering economic diversity, targeting agriculture, industry, and tourism, as a substantial portion of Gabon’s population is impoverished. Voter turnout was reported at 70.40%, which is significantly higher than the 56.65% in the August elections that sparked the coup against President Ali Bongo, who was deemed the winner under contested circumstances.

The remarkable increase in electoral participation reflects a public possibly motivated by the recent political upheaval and desire for change in governance. Nguema’s election solidifies his authority following the military takeover that occurred immediately after the prior elections, highlighting ongoing political transformations in Gabon.

Brice Oligui Nguema’s election as President of Gabon with a decisive 90.35% signals a significant shift in the nation’s leadership after decades under the Bongo family. His emphasis on reform, economic diversification, and anti-corruption resonates with a populace eager for change. The increased voter turnout indicates a heightened public interest in political participation following the recent coup, pointing to a pivotal moment in Gabonese history.

Original Source: www.usnews.com