Gabon’s military ruler, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, has officially announced his candidacy for the country’s upcoming presidential election, scheduled for April 12.
His declaration comes months after seizing power in a 2023 coup that ended the Bongo family’s decades-long rule.
Addressing supporters in Libreville on Monday during a heavy downpour, Nguema stated that his decision followed “careful reflection and in response to your many appeals.” He emphasized his commitment to rebuilding Gabon, telling the crowd: “I am a builder, and I need your courage, your strength, to build this country.”
The announcement follows growing speculation over his political ambitions, especially after Gabon’s new constitution and electoral code—seen by critics as paving the way for his bid were enacted. Despite initially pledging to transition power to civilians, Nguema’s move signals a potential shift in the country’s political landscape.
On Saturday, he had hinted at his candidacy during a meeting with the military, acknowledging their calls for him to run. “I listened to you and, believe me, I understood you,” he assured them, urging their support in the election.
Amid questions over his military status, a Facebook page linked to Nguema, Infos CTRI Officiel, clarified that he would temporarily step away from the army while campaigning. However, if he loses, he will return to military service; if he wins, he must permanently leave the armed forces.
Nguema’s junta is credited with ending 55 years of the Bongo family’s rule. His predecessor, Ali Bongo, governed for 14 years before being ousted, following in the footsteps of his father, Omar Bongo, who led for 41 years.
While some regional leaders, including Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, have endorsed Nguema’s leadership, opposition groups and civil society activists continue to call for a true democratic transition, urging the military leader to honor his initial promise of relinquishing power to civilians.
With the election just weeks away, Gabon faces a crucial turning point, as Nguema’s bid raises fresh questions about the future of governance in the oil-rich Central African nation.
