Brice Oligui Nguema, the head of Gabon’s military junta, has officially won the country’s presidential election, securing 90.35% of the vote, according to provisional results announced Sunday by the interior ministry.
Oligui came to power in August 2023, ending over five decades of Bongo family rule, often criticized for corruption. He assumed the role of transitional president and pledged to restore democracy to the central African nation.
Earlier in the day, national broadcaster Gabon 24 reported that Oligui was leading comfortably across multiple provinces. Voters turned out in large numbers on Saturday to participate in an election seen as a significant step away from military rule. The interior ministry reported a voter turnout of 70.4%.
Unlike previous elections in 2016 and 2023, which were marred by unrest, the capital Libreville remained calm on Sunday.
“I hadn’t voted in a long time, but this time something gave me hope,” said 58-year-old Catholic voter Olivina Migombe on her way to church. “I believe in change this time,” she added, expressing support for Oligui.
But the challenges facing Gabon’s next president are steep: the oil-rich nation is grappling with deteriorating infrastructure, widespread poverty, and a crushing debt burden.
“If Oligui is elected president, he will have a lot of work ahead,” said 48-year-old unemployed technician Patrick Essono-Mve, also heading to Sunday mass.
As part of his effort to present a civilian image, Oligui shed his general’s uniform to campaign for a seven-year term. He dominated the election race, with his seven opponents—most notably Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under Ali Bongo—receiving little visibility.
Critics argue that Oligui, despite his reformist rhetoric, remains closely tied to the same elite circles that benefited under the Bongo regime, in which he previously served.
For the first time, independent and foreign media were allowed to film the vote count. Early reports from international observers noted no major irregularities at polling stations across the country.
Roughly 920,000 registered voters were called to cast their ballots at 3,037 polling stations, including 96 abroad. Preliminary results from state-run CTRI News showed Oligui dominating at around 30 polling sites, with some reporting unanimous support.