Gabon: Junta Leader to Compete Against Three Challengers in Presidential Election

Gabon’s military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, is set to face three opponents in the presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2025, according to the final list of candidates released on Sunday.

He will be contesting against Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is considered Oligui’s strongest rival. Also in the race are lawyer and tax inspector Joseph Lapensee Essingone, as well as medical professional Stéphane Germain Iloko Boussengui.

Oligui rose to power after leading a military coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year rule.

Interior Minister Hermann Immongault announced that 23 candidates had applied, but only four were deemed admissible.

Reasons for rejecting the 19 other applications, including that of leading trade unionist Jean-Remy Yama, were not disclosed, although the rejected candidates have the right to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

Oligui, who declared his candidacy on March 3, has promised to return power to civilians after a transitional period.

A newly passed electoral code allows military personnel to run for office, making Oligui’s presidential bid possible. He filed his candidacy on Saturday and announced he would run as an independent.

Campaigning for the election will begin on March 29, with no date yet set for a possible second-round run-off.

Source: News Central