Oligui Nguema, who orchestrated the 2023 coup, holds the lead in pre-election surveys.
He is running on an anti-corruption platform and advocates for breaking the long-standing political grip of Omar Bongo Ondimba and his successor, Ali Bongo, who together ruled Gabon for over half a century.
Oligui Nguema believes his election is certain to be a historic triumph.
In his speech at the closing rally in Libreville, he proclaimed, “The builder is here, the special candidate, the one you called,” while surrounded by music and dancing.
His primary opponent, Bilie By Nze, characterizes himself as the embodiment of a complete break from the past.
He accuses Oligui Nguema of embodying the continuance of the old political system, representing a return of the dominant influence of the Bongo family.
A newspaper from neighboring Cameroon shared photos showing Gabonese citizens casting their votes as the polls opened.
Approximately 920,000 citizens are expected to participate in the election, with eight candidates campaigning for office.
Polls are scheduled to close at 6 p.m. local time, with the final results anticipated on Monday.
What significance does the election hold?
This marks Gabon’s first election since the 2023 coup, which toppled the Bongo dynasty from power.
With a population of 2.3 million, Gabon, a former French colony, faces issues such as high unemployment, frequent power and water shortages, and substantial government debt.
The nation’s economy heavily relies on the extraction and export of crucial minerals, including manganese, alongside oil.
However, the 2023 coup introduced political instability, tarnishing the country’s reputation for stability and causing concern among investors.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar
