Gabon Votes in Historic Election Following Military Coup

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the coup leader and dominant candidate, is widely expected to secure victory, raising questions about democratic reform and governance.

• Gabonese citizens head to the polls on April 12, 2025, marking the first presidential election since the 2023 military coup that ended 56 years of Bongo family rule.
• General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup and oversaw an 18-month transitional period, is the frontrunner among eight candidates.
• Nguema has positioned himself as a reformer promising a return to civilian governance, though critics question his ties to the previous regime and his commitment to true democracy.
• Allegations of unclear financial dealings involving Nguema have emerged, drawing parallels to the corruption associated with the Bongo era.
• The election represents a pivotal moment for Gabon, a key oil producer with a history of political instability and deep ties to French economic and military interests.

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