Overview

• Gabonese citizens are set to vote on April 12, 2025, in a presidential election concluding an 18-month transition following the 2023 military coup.
• General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup, is the clear frontrunner, with a new electoral code enabling his temporary transition to civilian status for the election.
• Nguema's tenure has been marked by economic reforms and institutional changes, including constitutional amendments limiting dynastic succession and extending presidential mandates to seven years.
• Questions persist about Nguema's ties to the former Bongo regime and allegations surrounding the origins of his wealth, including real estate acquisitions abroad.
• Gabon remains economically reliant on its hydrocarbon sector, with significant foreign interests and a French military presence underscoring its strategic importance.