General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, declared the winner of Gabon’s presidential election with over 90% of the vote according to provisional results, has vowed to be “the president of all Gabonese.”
In his first social media message since the announcement, he praised voter turnout and extended an olive branch to his political opponents.
Oligui Nguema, who secured 90.35% of the vote on Saturday, April 12th, addressed the nation on Sunday evening. “On this important day for our democracy, I wish to address you, the Gabonese people, with respect and gratitude,” he stated, thanking voters for their “exemplary mobilization” and acknowledging the “diversity of voices” that he believes enriches the nation. He committed to being “the President of all Gabonese, without distinction,” urging unity, dialogue, and collective action to build Gabon’s future.
“God bless Gabon,” he concluded.
The Ministry of the Interior announced that Oligui Nguema received 575,222 votes out of 636,606 cast, representing a 70.4% voter turnout. The number of valid ballots totaled 610,747, with 25,859 votes deemed blank or invalid. The Ministry attributed the 70.4% turnout to “the difficulties encountered by some compatriots abroad in fulfilling their civic duty,” down from an initial estimate of 87.21 percent.
Trailing far behind was former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, who garnered 19,227 votes (3.02 percent). Six other candidates received less than 1 percent of the vote each. These results remain provisional pending validation by the Constitutional Court. Bilie By Nze has announced a press conference for today, Monday.
Born in 1975, Oligui Nguema, educated in Morocco, previously served as an aide-de-camp to Omar Bongo Ondimba. He had been the Commander-in-chief of the Republican Guard since 2019 and orchestrated the military coup on August 30, 2023, which ended Ali Bongo’s presidency. As the head of the transition government, he promised to organize free and credible elections. Observers suggest his election is an attempt to legitimize his power within a constitutional framework.
During his campaign, Oligui Nguema emphasized combating corruption, diversifying the economy, and strengthening public services. He also pledged to enhance international partnerships, particularly with China in strategic sectors like digital technology.
