Gabon Election: General Nguema Announces Presidential Candidacy

General Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s military leader, has announced his candidacy for president in the April 12 election following a coup that ended 55 years of Bongo family rule. Despite pledging to restore civilian leadership, recent constitutional changes have raised concerns. Nguema emphasized his readiness to transform the nation, as a significant portion of the population remains in poverty despite the country’s resources.

Gabon’s military leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has officially declared his candidacy for the presidency in the upcoming election set for April 12. Following a coup in 2023 that ousted the lengthy Bongo family rule, Nguema pledged to return authority to civilian leadership. However, critics argue recent constitutional and electoral changes favor his presidential run.

In a speech to Gabonese citizens, Nguema expressed his intention to run after reflection and in response to public demands. Addressing supporters in Libreville amid inclement weather, he described himself as a “builder” seeking their support to improve the nation’s circumstances. His announcement comes after months of speculation about his political ambitions.

During a recent military meeting, General Nguema acknowledged the troops’ desire to see him contest the election and encouraged their participation. He emphasized that he had listened to their aspirations and would provide further updates soon. Speculation regarding Nguema’s military status raised concerns; however, his spokesperson clarified that he is temporarily required to don civilian attire during the campaign.

The Nguema-led junta reportedly concluded 55 years of Bongo family rule, during which Ali Bongo governed for 14 years after his father, Omar Bongo, held the presidency for 41 years. Meanwhile, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, the leader of neighboring Equatorial Guinea, recently urged Gabonese citizens to back Nguema for a brighter future.

Despite the nation’s wealth in oil and timber, a third of Gabon’s 2.4 million residents live below the poverty line, according to United Nations reports. Opposition groups have called upon the military leader to fulfill his promise of restoring power to civilians at the conclusion of the transition.

General Brice Oligui Nguema’s announcement to run for the presidency marks a significant political development in Gabon after the coup that ended decades of Bongo family dominance. While his decision appears supported by military and public calls, concerns persist regarding the transition to civilian governance. The outcome of the upcoming election will determine the future trajectory of Gabon, particularly in addressing pressing social issues such as poverty.

Original Source: www.bbc.com