Gabon’s Military Leader Brice Oligui Nguema to Compete in Presidential Election
Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s military leader, will contest the presidential election against Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze and two others. The election is scheduled for April 12, 2025. Nineteen other candidates were rejected, though they can appeal. Oligui promises to return power to civilians after a transitional period.
Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s military leader, is set to compete against three candidates in the presidential election on April 12, 2025. The final list of candidates, released on Sunday, includes Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the former prime minister under Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is perceived as Oligui’s strongest adversary. Other competitors are Joseph Lapensee Essingone, a lawyer and tax inspector, and doctor Stéphane Germain Iloko Boussengui.
Interior Minister Hermann Immongault disclosed that out of 23 applications, only four candidates were considered admissible for the election. The reasons for the disqualification of the 19 other applicants, including prominent trade unionist Jean-Remy Yama, were not revealed. However, these applicants retain the right to appeal their removal to the Constitutional Court.
Oligui announced his candidacy on March 3 and has pledged to transition power back to civilians after an interim period. His presidential bid was made possible by a newly enacted electoral code allowing military personnel to contest elections. He filed his candidacy as an independent candidate on Saturday.
Campaigning will commence on March 29, although the date for a potential second-round runoff has yet to be established.
In summary, Brice Oligui Nguema will face formidable opposition from three candidates in Gabon’s upcoming presidential election. Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze stands out as Oligui’s primary challenger. The election process is marked by changes in regulations allowing military figures to participate, and the list of qualified candidates has raised significant implications for Gabon’s political future as it navigates this transitional phase.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
