Overview

• General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the 2023 coup ending 55 years of Bongo family rule, has declared his candidacy for Gabon's April 12 presidential election.
• A recent change to Gabon's electoral code now permits military officers and magistrates to run for public office, paving the way for Oligui’s candidacy.
• Oligui, who turned 50 on Monday, described his vision for a 'rising Gabon' and emphasized his commitment to addressing national issues such as frequent power outages.
• Critics argue that Oligui has not significantly distanced himself from the previous Bongo regime, under which he served for years, raising concerns about genuine reform.
• Supporters view Oligui as a pragmatic and charismatic leader, but public trust hinges on his ability to meet high expectations for progress in the oil-rich nation.