Gabon’s Military Leader Declares Presidential Bid

Gabon’s military leader has announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election, months after seizing power in a coup.

Nearly two years after orchestrating a coup that concluded over fifty years of the Bongo dynasty’s reign, Gabon’s military leader Brice Oligui Nguema has declared his candidacy for April’s presidential elections.

Following the ousting of President Ali Bongo in August 2023, Nguema pledged to return power to civilians after a transitional period.

Approved by the transitional Parliament in January, a new electoral code allows military personnel and magistrates to participate as candidates in elections.

Nguema delivered the announcement during a speech in Gabon’s capital. The 50-year-old expressed his vision for the country as “Gabon rising from the ashes,” urging the audience to support his candidacy.

According to the Facebook page Infos CTRI officiel, the former head of the presidential guard will need to temporarily step down from his current position if he wants to pursue this role.

The page mentioned that if he isn’t elected, he’ll go back to the barracks.

Gabon is scheduled to hold elections on April 12th.