Controversy Surrounds Gabon’s First Presidential Election Post-Coup

Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, former Gabonese prime minister, criticized the presidential election results, calling them opaque and indicative of state resource misuse. Oligui Nguema won with 90.35% of the vote after a military coup ended Ali Bongo’s rule. This election was Gabon’s first post-coup and is crucial for its citizens, many of whom are impoverished despite the country’s oil wealth.

In Gabon, the former prime minister, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, has publicly condemned the results of the recent presidential election, declaring the process “opaque and unfree.” He expressed his dissatisfaction in a statement released to the media on Monday, describing the election on April 12 as an instance where he witnessed extensive misuse of state resources for electoral purposes.

Bilie-By-Nze faced Oligui Nguema, who won decisively with an astonishing 90.35% of the votes, leaving Bilie-By-Nze with merely 3% in a contest that included seven other candidates. This election marked the first since the military coup in 2023, making it critical for the nation’s 2.3 million citizens, one-third of whom live in poverty despite Gabon’s oil wealth.

Oligui Nguema, who previously led the Republican Guard, orchestrated a bloodless coup in August 2023, bringing an end to a 55-year political legacy initiated by the late Omar Bongo. Nguema aims to solidify his authority during a projected seven-year term. Bilie-By-Nze, who served under Ali Bongo for over seven months leading up to the coup, extended his good wishes to the new government while affirming his commitment to remaining active in political affairs.

The recent presidential election in Gabon has highlighted significant concerns regarding electoral integrity, as evidenced by criticism from former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze. The election’s outcome, characterized by a significant victory for Oligui Nguema, signals a pivotal moment for the nation amidst a backdrop of political upheaval. The socio-economic implications for Gabon’s citizens, particularly those living in poverty, will bear watching as the new administration embarks on its term.

Original Source: www.wral.com