Gabon’s Military Leader Brice Oligui Nguema Wins Presidential Election in a Landslide

Brice Oligui Nguema, the military leader who took control of Gabon last year, has emerged victorious in the country’s presidential election.

According to early results announced on Sunday, 13th April, it looks like Nguema has won by an overwhelming margin, with about 90% of the vote.

Nguema’s Massive Lead: 90% of the Vote

The initial results show Nguema way ahead of his nearest rival, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who only managed around 3%. While this outcome wasn’t exactly a shock—many people had expected Nguema to win—the size of the victory still makes a statement. He had already built strong support since his rise to power after removing Ali Bongo from office in 2023.

From Coup Leader to President: What’s Changed?

Nguema made headlines last August when he led a bloodless coup that ousted Ali Bongo, ending 55 years of Bongo family rule. Many Gabonese saw it as a fresh start, and now Nguema’s decision to run for president has some people asking: Will he bring real change, or is this just a way to solidify his control over the country?

Concerns Raised Over Election Transparency

Before the election, Bilie-By-Nze had raised concerns about the potential for problems during the counting. However, Nguema was quick to defend the election, calling it “transparent.” So far, there haven’t been any major reports of issues, although there was limited independent international monitoring.

Nguema’s Message: “I Will Give Back to the People”

After the results were announced, Nguema sat down with Al Jazeera for his first international interview. He promised to restore dignity to the Gabonese people and return what he described as “everything that has been stolen.”

“I will give back to the people what they have given me today,” Nguema told Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem. “And everything that has been stolen from the people, I want to return to them.”

For many Gabonese, these words could be seen as hope—but others remain sceptical. After all, is a military leader really the best person to lead a country to democracy?

A New Beginning, or Same Old Story?

So, what does this victory really mean for Gabon? Is it the beginning of something new, or just the same old political game in a different package? One thing’s for sure—Nguema’s got all eyes on him now, and he’ll need to show he’s not just another leader making promises without any real action.