Gabon coup leader eyes seven-year mandate in presidential vote

12/4/2025 17:29

Gabon's coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema is looking to cement his grip on power as the oil-producing Central African nation holds a presidential election on Saturday that analysts expect to be a one-sided affair.



Nineteen months after overthrowing President Ali Bongo, whose family ruled Gabon for more than half a century, Nguema, 50, has pitched himself as a change agent cracking down on the corrupt old guard.



Lionel Ekambou, a nurse, joined the line outside a polling station at a school in Libreville that opened at 7 a.m., eager to cast his vote for Nguema, who has been interim leader since spearheading the coup as an army general.



"His social project meets my expectations and, I am convinced, will contribute to building a better future," the 28-year-old said.



Criss-crossing the country in a baseball cap bearing his "We Build Together" slogan, Nguema has vowed to diversify the oil-reliant economy and promote agriculture, industry and tourism in a country where a third of the population lives in poverty.