Bryce Oligoi Ngoma, the interim leader who led the military coup, is expected to run for president in August 2023.
Gabon’s Council of Ministers has announced that presidential elections will be held on April 12, marking the end of military rule that began with a coup in 2023.
Minutes of the Cabinet of Ministers meeting confirmed the schedule for the presidential election.
“Subject to the terms of this order, the Electoral College has been convened on Saturday, April 12, 2025,” read the minutes of Wednesday night’s meeting.
Gabon’s interim president, Bryce Oligoi Ngoma, seized power in the eighth coup in West and Central Africa between 2020 and 2023, ending the long-standing rule of his predecessor Ali Bongo and his family over the oil-rich but impoverished nation. What was the end?
In November, Gabon voted yes in a referendum on a new constitution, with the leaders of the military coup fulfilling a promise to move towards restoring constitutional rule.
The new constitution provides for a maximum of two seven-year presidential terms, no prime minister and dynastic transfer of power.
However, some observers fear that the ruling military regime may use the process to stay in power.
A new law on Monday allowed military officials to stand for election under certain conditions.
That means Nguema, the interim leader who has made no secret of his ambitions to run for president, is exempt from running.
The oil-rich Central African country was ruled by the Bongo dynasty for 55 years until an August 2023 coup.
Ali Bongo ruled for 14 years until he was overthrown when the military and opposition declared fraud after he was declared the winner of the presidential election.
He took over on the death of his father Umar who ruled for over 41 years.
Opposition and military coup leaders accused Bongo’s government of widespread corruption and poor governance.
