Gabon’s interim President Brice Oligui Nguema faces three challengers in the April 12 presidential election following the 2023 military coup. The Interior Ministry’s official candidate list includes Nguema, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, Dr. Stéphane Germain Iloko, and Joseph Lapensée Essigone. All candidates are running as independents amidst concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process under military oversight.
In a significant political development, Gabon’s interim President, Brice Oligui Nguema, is set to face three challengers in the upcoming presidential elections on April 12. This election marks the first democratic process since the military coup in 2023 that ended decades of governance by the Bongo family.
The Interior Ministry recently unveiled the official candidate list, allowing only four out of 23 contenders. The 19 disqualified candidates now have a 72-hour window to appeal their status to the Constitutional Court.
Among Nguema’s opponents are:
1. Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze – the former Prime Minister under Ali Bongo’s regime, representing a remnant of the old political order without the former ruling party.
2. Dr. Stéphane Germain Iloko – a former leader from the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), which dominated the political landscape for over sixty years.
3. Joseph Lapensée Essigone – a lawyer and tax inspector, relatively obscure in the political realm but presenting himself as an alternative candidate.
All four candidates are running as independents, as the transitional government has yet to reinstate political parties. Amid rising speculation regarding Nguema’s ambitions, the new constitution—approved through referendum—has not prohibited his candidacy. Military authorities claim the new charter aims to facilitate a transition to democratic governance, though many critics assert it serves to legitimize Nguema’s grip on power.
The campaign period will commence on March 29, presenting a crucial opportunity to assess the genuine competitiveness of Gabon’s transition from military rule to civilian governance. While some citizens express optimism about prospective reforms, skepticism about fair electoral processes persists, given the military’s established control over state mechanisms.
In summary, Gabon’s upcoming presidential election on April 12 introduces a pivotal moment for the nation’s political landscape following the military coup in 2023. Brice Oligui Nguema will compete against three diverse challengers, all running independently amid a backdrop of skepticism regarding the transition to democracy. The electoral process will serve as a litmus test for the country’s future governance and the authenticity of its pursuit of democratic ideals.
Original Source: www.cameroon-concord.com
