Overview

• This election marks Gabon's first presidential vote since the August 2023 coup that ended over five decades of Bongo family rule.
• Brice Oligui Nguema, the transitional leader, has positioned himself as the favorite, campaigning on an anti-corruption platform and promising reform.
• Eight candidates, including former officials, entrepreneurs, and the sole female contender, offer voters a diverse slate of visions for Gabon's future.
• The election follows the November 2023 approval of a new constitution, which introduced presidential term limits and granted amnesty to coup participants.
• Observers and critics have raised concerns about the suppression of dissent and the nation's ongoing socio-economic challenges, including poverty and reliance on oil revenues.