Libreville: General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was sworn in as president of Gabon after winning almost 95 percent of votes in the April 12 election, having served as interim president since taking power in a 2023 coup.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Nguema, 50, secured the presidency with 58,074 votes, amounting to 94.85 percent of votes cast, as announced by the Constitutional Court. His victory was anticipated, given his role in ending the Bongo dynasty, which had maintained power in Gabon for over five decades.
Nguema, formerly the head of Gabon’s Republican Guard, overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago. After the coup, soldiers appointed Nguema, who is a cousin of the ousted president, as the leader of a transitional committee to govern the nation. The Bongo family had faced accusations of living in oil-funded luxury while a substantial portion of the population experienced hardship.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Angondjé stadium and was attended by several prom
inent African leaders, including President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Both leaders have been involved in peace talks amid the ongoing conflict between Congolese forces and Rwanda-backed rebels in Congo’s east.
This year’s election was pivotal for Gabon’s 2.3 million citizens, approximately one-third of whom live in poverty despite the country’s substantial oil resources. Nguema garnered support through an anti-corruption platform and pledged to develop Gabon by focusing on improving healthcare, infrastructure, and employment opportunities for young people.