Two years after he led a coup to end more than five decades of Bongo dynasty rule, Gabon’s military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, announced his intention to run in upcoming presidential elections in April.
After the ouster of President Ali Bongo in August 2023, Nguema vowed to give power back to civilians following a transitional period.
Given the green light in January by the transitional Parliament, a new electoral code enables members of the military and magistrates to run in elections.
Nguema made the announcement at a speech in Gabon’s capital on Monday.
“After careful consideration and in response to your numerous appeals, I have decided to stand as a candidate in the presidential election on 12 April 2025,” Nguema told his supporters under a heavy downpour in Gabon’s capital Libreville.
The 50-year-old said his vision for the nation was a ‘‘Gabon rising from the ashes’’ as he called on the crowd to get behind his candidacy.
To throw his hat in the ring for the role, the former head of the presidential guard will have to abandon his current role at least temporarily, according to Facebook page Infos CTRI officiel.
“If he’s not elected, he will return to the barracks,” the page added.
Elections in Gabon are due on April 12th.
