GABON’S transitional leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, has announced that the country will hold a presidential election on March 22, 2025, marking a crucial step in its return to civilian rule. Nguema, who took power in September 2023 after overthrowing President Ali Bongo, made the announcement on Thursday, setting the stage for a high-stakes vote in the oil-rich Central African nation.
This election follows a November 2024 referendum on a new constitution, which was framed as a critical move towards democratic restoration. However, concerns persist over the transparency of the transition process, particularly given that Nguema has been granted an exception to contest the presidency despite initial rules barring transitional leaders from running.
Military takeover and public sentiment
Nguema’s junta toppled Ali Bongo Ondimba in a bloodless coup on August 30, 2023, ending the Bongo family’s nearly 56-year grip on power. The military takeover was widely celebrated by many Gabonese, who had grown frustrated with decades of mismanagement. Despite Gabon’s vast oil wealth, economic stagnation and high poverty rates—with nearly a third of the population struggling—fuelled resentment towards the ruling elite.
The coup in Gabon was the eighth military takeover in West and Central Africa since 2020, reflecting a broader regional trend where populations, disillusioned with entrenched leadership and governance failures, have supported military interventions as a means of change.
Concerns over the transition
While Nguema initially positioned himself as a caretaker leader overseeing a return to democratic governance, his ability to contest the upcoming election has raised eyebrows. Critics argue that the constitutional changes could be tailored to benefit the interim government, potentially tilting the electoral playing field in his favour.
The African Union (AU) and international partners have urged Gabon’s military authorities to ensure a credible, transparent, and inclusive electoral process. Given the recent history of disputed elections in the country, the upcoming vote will be closely watched to determine whether it truly represents a break from the past or simply reshapes power dynamics under a different guise.
As Gabon prepares for the polls, the key question remains: will the election mark a genuine democratic transition, or will it reinforce the influence of the military in the nation’s political future?
