Gabon’s Constitutional Court Confirms Oligui Nguema’s Electoral Victory

Gabon’s constitutional court confirmed General Oligui Nguema won the April 12 presidential election, securing 94.85% of votes. He faced seven candidates, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze. The election, the first post-coup, saw a voter turnout of 70.11%. Oligui Nguema is set to be inaugurated on May 3.

In a significant development, Gabon’s constitutional court has affirmed that General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, currently the interim president following a military coup in 2023, has emerged victorious in the presidential elections held on April 12. The court revealed that he secured 58,074 votes, amounting to an impressive 94.85% of the total ballots cast, as per the results announced late Friday. This represents an almost 5% increase from the provisional results provided by the Ministry of the Interior a day post-election.

Oligui Nguema faced off against seven other candidates during the elections. Notably, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze finished in second place, capturing only 3% of the total votes. The remaining candidates were unable to surpass the 1% threshold. Bilie-By-Nze has alleged that Oligui Nguema benefitted from state resources to bolster his campaign, a claim that the government denies vehemently.

Election observers at the local level deemed the election process largely satisfactory across nearly all polling stations they monitored. The Constitutional Court also cited a voter turnout rate of 70.11%, with around 920,000 voters registered, including over 28,000 from overseas, casting their ballots at more than 3,000 polling locations. This figure contrasts sharply with the 87.21% turnout reported by the Interior Ministry, recorded on the day following the vote.

This election marks a pivotal moment for Gabon, as it is the first held since the military coup that ended a political dynasty of over 50 years. With a population of approximately 2.3 million—many of whom face poverty despite the country’s oil wealth—this election was viewed as crucial for the future of the nation. Oligui Nguema, who previously commanded the Republican Guard, ousted former President Ali Bongo Ondimba nearly two years ago. He is poised to officially assume office with an inauguration scheduled for May 3, during which he aims to solidify his authority for a proposed seven-year term.

In conclusion, Gabon’s constitutional court confirmed Oligui Nguema’s overwhelming victory in the recent presidential elections, a crucial event for a nation transitioning post-coup. With significant voter turnout and the court’s affirmation, he prepares to take office officially, marking a new chapter for Gabon amid its challenges.

Original Source: www.newsday.com