Gabon Junta Leader Announces Presidential Bid
General Brice Oligui Nguema, the military leader who led a 2023 coup to end 55 years of Bongo dynasty rule in 2023, has announced his intention to run for president in the upcoming election on April 12.
Oligui had initially pledged to hand over power to civilians after an interim period following the ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba.
However, PRNigeria gathered that new electoral code approved by the transitional parliament in January has paved the way for military personnel and magistrates to participate in the election.
Oligui, who turned 50 on Monday, said his vision for the seven-year term was “of a Gabon rising from the ashes”, pledging to tackle the country’s infrastructure issues.
“I am a builder and I need your courage, your strength, to build this country,” he said under pouring rain.
To present his candidacy, the former head of the presidential guard must temporarily abandon his general’s uniform while running for election, according to the Facebook account for his communications, Infos CTRI Officiel.
“At the end of the election period, he will again wear his military uniform while awaiting the results,” it said, adding that he would no longer wear the uniform if elected.
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“If he’s not elected, he will return to the barracks.”
Ahead of Monday’s announcement the general made appearances at several public events, notably a large military rally on Saturday and a mass on Sunday where priests released a flock of doves in his honour.
Rumours had circulated that Oligui had handed in his military stripes on Saturday ahead of his presidential tilt.
After a 28-year army career, a seven-year term in office “will not change his way of thinking and acting”, the Infos CTRI Officiel message said.
“He will remain pragmatic and true to his values.”
According to the account, members of Gabon’s defence and security forces make up 11 percent of the electorate in the country of 2.3 million people.
But despite his military strongman profile, Oligui has made efforts to portray himself as an empathetic leader who reaches out to the people.
To appeal to younger voters in a country where half the population is under 20, the general in December even gave out free tickets to a concert by L’Oiseau Rare, an icon of Gabon’s Ntcham music genre.
Candidates have until March 8 to confirm they intend to stand under a process that includes passing a language test, a medical exam and an asset declaration.
Around 20 would-be challengers to Oligui had already withdrawn last week, according to local media reports.
By PRNigeria
