Gabon Coup Leader-Turned-President Launches Political Party

• Brice Oligui Nguema launches the Democratic Union of Builders (UDB).
• The UDB is focused on rebuilding the Gabonese social contract.
• Nguema received nearly 95% of votes in the recent presidential election.
• The inaugural congress showcased broad support for the new party.
• Nguema aims to move away from political indoctrination practices.

New Political Party Marks Shift in Gabon’s Leadership

On July 6, 2025, Brice Oligui Nguema, who emerged as Gabon’s President following a coup, launched his political party named the Democratic Union of Builders (UDB). This new political entity is touted as a platform that aims to redefine Gabon’s political landscape after decades of rule by the Bongo family dynasty. With a statement from the party declaring the mission to “rebuild the Gabonese social contract,” it underscores the dramatic political shift that has occurred in the nation since Nguema’s takeover in August 2023.

UDB Designed to Foster Inclusivity and Progress

The newly formed UDB aims to symbolize unity and progress for Gabon, focusing on the pillars of inclusion, development, and happiness. Nguema, having secured approximately 95 percent of the vote in the recent April presidential elections, is keen on establishing a political environment distinct from the previous regime. Notably, observers reported no major irregularities in the elections despite the overwhelming support for the president, a point that seems vital for legitimizing his leadership and party’s objectives moving forward.

Massive Support Signals Change for Gabon’s Future

At the inaugural congress of UDB, thousands rallied around Nguema, some of whom were once prominent figures in the Bongos’ administration. The Bongo family had dominated Gabonese politics for over five decades through their Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG). Nguema voiced his desire to break this legacy, stating his intent to discourage political indoctrination and advocate for a primary system to select party candidates, positioning the UDB as a fresh alternative in Gabon’s evolving political scene.

The launching of the Democratic Union of Builders by Brice Oligui Nguema marks a significant change in Gabon’s political landscape, following decades of Bongo family rule. Promising inclusivity and development, the new party seeks to engage citizens more actively in politics. With high voter approval, Nguema aims to reshape Gabon’s governance, distancing his leadership from past practices of political manipulation.