Gabon’s Coup Leader Brice Oligui Nguema Pursues Seven-Year…

Brice Oligui Nguema seeks to solidify his power in the upcoming Gabon presidential election after ousting Ali Bongo. Promising economic diversification and addressing public service issues, he is expected to win despite challenges from former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze. Voter concerns include infrastructure and basic services, particularly power outages.

Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s coup, is seeking to reinforce his authority in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for Saturday. Since toppling President Ali Bongo, who ruled for over 50 years, Nguema has positioned himself as a reformist leader committed to combating corruption within the ruling elite. His campaign slogan, “We Build Together,” is prominent as he travels across Gabon in a baseball cap.

Nguema, who has been acting as interim leader, pledges to diversify Gabon’s oil-dependent economy by enhancing sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism, addressing the concerns of a populace where one-third lives in poverty. At his final rally in Owendo, he expressed, “We have liberated the country to give its people hope.”

Voting will commence at 7 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m., with results expected the following day. The presidential mandate lasts for seven years, renewable once. His main opponent, Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, served as prime minister under Bongo, and aims to dissociate from the former regime while scrutinizing Nguema’s capacity to govern.

Nze, 57, has remarked that military personnel should “go back to their barracks,” indicating a preference for civilian governance. A new constitution that was ratified in November has facilitated Nguema’s candidacy. Political analysts observe that Nguema’s lead arises from general satisfaction towards the coup, while Nze’s association with the previous government weakens his position as a viable challenger.

Nearly 900,000 voters are registered for the election across the country, supported by an additional 28,000 voters abroad. Economic growth in Gabon has shown improvement due to infrastructure development and commodity production, as reported by the World Bank; however, many citizens are primarily concerned about basic public services like electricity and water. As one voter highlighted, “We talk about it every day. This is a primary urgency because we do not want to have these daily power cuts anymore.”

In summary, Brice Oligui Nguema is poised to strengthen his control over Gabon as he leads in the presidential election, positioning himself as a reformative figure after the recent coup. Despite challenges posed by his primary opponent, Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, who aims to distance himself from the former regime, Nguema’s popularity reflects a general approval of the coup. As the election approaches, key issues such as basic public services remain at the forefront of voters’ concerns, particularly amidst ongoing power cuts.

Original Source: www.straitstimes.com