General Brice Oligui Nguema has secured a decisive victory in Gabon’s presidential election, garnering 90.35% of the vote, according to provisional results announced by the interior ministry on April 13, 2025. This election marks a significant milestone in Gabon’s political landscape, occurring nearly 20 months after Nguema led a coup that ended the Bongo family’s 56-year rule.
The voter turnout was reported at 70.4%, the highest since the country’s first multi-party elections in 1993. Nguema’s closest competitor, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, received just over 3% of the votes.
This election follows the adoption of a new constitution in November 2024, which introduced a two-term limit for the presidency and eliminated the position of prime minister. Nguema, who previously served as the head of the Republican Guard, campaigned on a platform of reform and economic diversification under the slogan “We Build Together.”
While the election proceeded peacefully, some observers noted irregularities, including delays at polling stations and concerns about ballot security. Despite these issues, the election is seen as a step toward legitimizing Nguema’s leadership and stabilizing Gabon’s political environment.
As Nguema embarks on his seven-year term, he faces the challenge of addressing the corruption and economic disparities that have long plagued the nation. Despite Gabon’s wealth in oil and timber, approximately 35% of its population lives below the poverty line.
