Brice Oligui Nguema Sworn In as Gabon’s President After Landslide Election Victory

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

Brice Oligui Nguema was officially sworn in as President of Gabon on Saturday, following a decisive electoral victory in which he secured nearly 95% of the vote. His inauguration marks the formal end of Gabon’s 19-month transition period, which began after he led a military coup in August 2023, toppling the 55-year rule of the Bongo family.

The inauguration took place at Angondje Stadium in northern Libreville, drawing an estimated 40,000 supporters. The event was attended by over 20 African leaders, including presidents from Senegal, The Gambia, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Libreville saw road closures and traffic jams as citizens gathered for the celebrations, which included military parades and cultural performances.

The Ministry of Interior and Security urged residents to welcome visiting dignitaries and highlighted the occasion as a symbol of national unity and change.

At age 50, Oligui, a former general and head of the elite Republican Guard, pledged to steer Gabon away from its history of dynastic politics. In his inaugural address, he vowed to “return dignity to the Gabonese people” and to restore public wealth that was lost to decades of corruption.

“I will give back to the people what they have entrusted to me today,” he said. His campaign slogan, “We Build Together,” was a central theme during the ceremony and in the weeks leading up to the election.

Despite Gabon’s rich natural resources—including oil, gold, and manganese—much of the population remains impoverished. According to the World Bank, around 33% of Gabonese live below the poverty line, and youth unemployment stands at approximately 40%.