President Brice Oligui Nguema Launches Democratic Union of Builders

• Brice Oligui Nguema launched the Democratic Union of Builders party.
• The new party seeks to rebuild Gabon’s social contract post-Bongo family rule.
• Nguema secured nearly 95% of the vote in the April presidential election.
• The inaugural congress gathered a large number of supporters and former Bongo officials.
• The party’s mission focuses on unity, development, and citizen happiness.

New Party Aims to Reshape Gabon Political Landscape

In a significant political move, President Brice Oligui Nguema, who previously led a coup to oust the Bongo family after 56 years, formally introduced his political party on Saturday. This new political entity, named the Democratic Union of Builders (UDB), aims to create a new framework for governance in Gabon. The party’s foundation is rooted in what it describes as a shared aspiration to revitalize the Gabonese social contract following a decisive electoral victory that ended the long-standing Bongo dynasty’s reign.

Inclusive Vision Amidst Controversial Past

The newly formed party has adopted the motto “inclusion, development, happiness,” which underscores its objectives to unite the nation, foster transformation, and elevate the lives of Gabonese citizens. Nguema, a former military general, gained the presidency following an August 2023 coup that removed Ali Bongo, the son of long-time leader Omar Bongo. This past April, Nguema emerged victorious in the presidential election, capturing about 95 percent of the votes, a margin that international observers found to be free of major electoral irregularities despite skepticism surrounding the political process.

Support and Challenges Ahead for New Leadership

During its inaugural congress, the Democratic Union of Builders attracted a crowd numbering in the thousands, including several notable figures from the previous administration under the Bongo family. Historically, the Gabonese political scene was dominated by the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), which was intricately tied to the Bongos. President Nguema emphasized in his address that his new party would not seek to manipulate anyone through ideology or political indoctrination, promising instead a primary system to facilitate an open and fair candidate selection process for party representation.

President Brice Oligui Nguema’s launch of the Democratic Union of Builders marks an important chapter in Gabon’s evolving political landscape. With a strong electoral mandate and thousands rallying behind him, he seeks to redefine governance, distancing his party from the influential legacy of the Bongo family. The coming days will reveal how Nguema plans to integrate these ideals into actionable policies while managing the complexities of Gabon’s political climate.