Gabon voters are prepared to decide on their subsequent president on Saturday, and on paper there are lots of choices: anti-French fiery manufacturers, a common organizing a coup, a tax inspector and a candidate for ladies on this Central African nation.
However most candidates and consultants agree that the election will be accomplished a deal. The race is claimed to have been seasoned in favor of Bris Oligui Ngema, the overall who organized a coup in 2023 and ignored his early guarantees to convey the facility to a civilian.
“This isn’t equal to begin,” says Joseph Seagl, director of analysis on the Africa Strategic Analysis Middle, a corporation primarily based in Washington, which is a part of the US Division of Protection.
Gabon is a useful resource -rich nation of two.5 million, which has lengthy been run by one household. Though wealthier than different Subsahara Africa international locations, unemployment is widespread and poverty is excessive, which makes these key questions for voters.
This is what we all know concerning the presidential competitors.
What are the primary contenders?
A 50-year-old common who changed his denims uniform, Jordan sneakers and To Michael Jackson The dance actions alongside the marketing campaign path, n -nguema is extensively welcomed to win.
Mr Nguema serves as an assistant-de-lager of the longtime autocrat of Gabon, Bongoand was the top of the Republican Guard below his son Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was deposited In 2023
With this coup, Mr. Ngma accomplished the work of one of the vital direct households in Africa. Omar Bongo has been holding energy for 41 years, and his son held a place for 14.
The coup was the newest of 9 troops which have shaken West and Central Africa since 2020.
However Mr. Nusma rebrands as a traditional candidate for the election, such because the slogan of the marketing campaign “That is good” or “C’Bon” in French, a play of his initials. He promised to construct giant infrastructure initiatives, together with a brand new airport, calling himself a “briss builder”.
He additionally vowed to keep up a correspondence with France, the previous colonial power that It was recently ordered to withdraw troops from several African countriesS About 350 French troops are in Gabon, however Mr. Ngema has said“I do not chase anybody.”
Paul Modos, a 35-year-old entrepreneur, mentioned on Friday that he would vote for Mr Nguem as he united the nation and embodied renewal. “You may’t name President Brice Oligui Ngma dictator,” he mentioned. “Dictator doesn’t return the facility of individuals via the urn.”
His most critical opponent is Alen-Claude Billy at Nze, who was Prime Minister of Mr Bongo.
57-year-old Mr. Bilie-By-Nze has sworn to separate with Gabon’s political system, dismantle his community and scale back French affect, though he has been working on this system for a very long time.
He additionally known as the potential decisions of G -NGume’s menace to democracy and mentioned he wished to diversify Gabon’s economic system and scale back his dependence on oil income.
Lorea Mambunu, a 26-year-old regulation pupil, mentioned he would vote for Mr. Billy Billy Nostril for his political expertise.
“He’s essentially the most competent candidate right this moment, but additionally the one who can be the simplest to sanction with our votes if he ever conveyed the belief of the individuals,” she mentioned. “This can be a assure towards the drift we’re all afraid of.”
What are the primary issues?
Gabon is wealthy in mineral assets. It incorporates 1 / 4 of the world’s manganese reserves, a mineral used to supply metal. However its economic system stays too depending on oil, representing 38 % of Gabon’s gross home product.
The nation is among the many most corrupt international locations on the earth, in accordance with the guard Transparency InternationalS Greater than 40 % of younger individuals in Gabon are unemployed. And one -third of their 2.5 million individuals dwell at lower than $ 5.50 a day, in accordance with the World Financial institution.
In response to the management of the NGUMA, the non permanent authorities have adopted a brand new structure that permits the members of the navy to run for a place. It additionally limits the president to 2 seven years of phrases.
G -N -Seagel mentioned the overall borrowed from the e book of one other Central African nation, Chad, whose chief They seized energy when his father was killed in 2021 and who was later declared an election winner.
Mr. Billy-more-Nze mentioned that Mr. Ngma had complied with the electoral guidelines through the use of state funds to finance his marketing campaign till different candidates had obtained such state help. “The junta chief has handed a structure and an election regulation to his personal must confiscate energy,” says Mr. Billy Billy in a press release.
A spokesman for G -NGema declined to remark.
Area stuffed with getting old leaders
A number of Central Africa international locations have been managed by authoritarian leaders, together with the three longest-standing presidents in Africa. Two are Gabon’s neighbors: President Cameroon has been in energy for 42 years, and the president The Republic of Congo holds a place for 38 years.
In Gabon, the 2 main candidates have an extended historical past with the Bongo household, however attempt to distance themselves from it. Everybody accuses the opposite of being an previous -fashioned candidate.
When will the outcomes be introduced?
About 860,000 individuals are anticipated to go to the poll field on Saturday. The outcomes are anticipated to be introduced earlier than April 16.
Yann Leyimangoye contributes to the reporting of libreville, Gabon.
