Brice Clotaite Oligui Nguema is now the leading contender in the presidential election — tentatively set for April 12, 2024. This election, which will be held across Gabon’s nine provinces from 7:30 AM to 6 PM local time, comes amid significant political tension and controversy. Former military general and late Omar Bongo’s aide-de-camp Nguema is the clear favorite in most forecasts. He is receiving criticism for pushing through the reforms he needed to make his candidacy possible.
Nguema came to power in last year’s coup that overthrew Ali Bongo. Bongo had been the incumbent patriarch and scion of the influential Bongo political dynasty. Following the coup, Nguema has vowed to initiate a new dawn for Gabon, committing to economic transformation and infrastructure development. The nature of his previous affiliations and his ascent to power has opposition leaders and political observers on edge.
Controversial Reforms and Promises of Change
Since taking power, Nguema has instituted a number of controversial but necessary reforms that have earned his government criticism. Significantly, he has forced through a new constitution that bars anyone with dual nationality from contesting the presidency. This decision has in practice eliminated most of the serious contenders, even from the political opposition.
Despite this political turmoil, Nguema has firmly established himself as a reform-minded leader committed to transforming Gabon’s socio-economic situation. He has promised to improve Gabon’s economy. To do this, he’s launched thousands of infrastructure projects, like building more than 1,400 kilometers of new roads. His administration has further distributed over 400 taxi cabs to inner city residents as part of a program to foster entrepreneurial job growth.
“His most evident quality is that, unlike the young man who was being groomed to inherit the Bongo dynastic fortune, Oligui Nguema actually lives in Gabon,” – Douglas Yates
Critics point out that although Nguema’s moves towards democracy sound notable, they might not amount to significant democratic change. Hany Wahila commented on the troubling patterns observed in military transitions across Africa:
“As we’ve seen with other military seizures of power in Africa in recent years, these transitions are accompanied by declining levels of civil liberties, political participation and transparency.”
The Opposition’s Response and Historical Context
Albert Ondo Ossa, the leading opposition candidate from the Alternate Party has sounded alarm bells about the validity of the upcoming elections. He is brazenly disputing their validity. Opposition leaders including Ossa have zero faith in the electoral process. Their concern is based on Gabon’s unfortunate past of rigging votes and falsifying results.
Nguema has made significant efforts to distance himself from his past government positions, including as prime minister under Ali Bongo. His critics arbitrate that the integrity and quality of his past continues to trail his campaign. Douglas Yates remarked on this issue:
“Despite his efforts to distance himself from his past, everybody knows that he was the last prime minister of Ali Bongo, and therefore is tarnished.”
The backdrop to Nguema’s leadership is complicated by the fact that he has maintained strong relationships with France, Gabon’s former colonial ruler. Unlike all other candidates who want to break these ties, Nguema decides to continue them. Some may interpret this to mean he is not as independent as he claims.
A Promise of Civilian Rule and Economic Renewal
So far, Nguema of Equatorial Guinea has made the strongest promise in this regard in his campaign platform. He promises to restore civilian rule in Gabon within two years of his coup. He dreams of « un autre Gabon », based on urban renewal and better health insurance. This promise shows his intent to focus on the big picture and overall economic growth.
Even as he tries to build faith in his leadership, most south Floridians are still skeptical. According to Yates, the current political climate offers only slight improvements in democratic measures:
“As far as being a ‘true democracy’, I prefer to measure that concept on an ordinal scale from ‘more’ to ‘less’ democracy. Here, the measurement has improved.”
Opponents contend that far from being the start of a new reform movement, Nguema’s government is a replication of the same inequities.
“As we’re seeing, therefore, resembles more a continuation of the existing unequal process rather than progress.”
