Oligui Nguema coup leader wins a poll with a huge margin

Gabon’s military leader Gen Brits Oligui Ngema – who in 2023 led an coup that ended the almost 60 -year dynasty – won the presidential election on Saturday with more than 90% of the vote, show temporary results.

Prior to the vote, critics claim that the new constitution and the Electoral Code were intended to give Oligui Nguema a convenient path to the highest work.

Some opposition heavy weights that could be a serious political challenge were excluded from the race.

His victory for election consolidated his grip on power, almost two years after mastering the death of President Ali Bongo, whose family had been in power in Gabon since 1967.

The 50-year-old Oligui Nguema has faced seven other candidates, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude, who serves under the Bongo regime, and two persecution of the former PDG, Stéphane Germain Iloko and Alain Simplice Boungou Party.

“The BRCS clot Oligui Nguem was elected (president) by an absolute majority of the votes filed, with 575,222 votes,” Interior Minister Herman Imongo said.

His main contender, Billy-No, received just over 3% of the vote.

More than seven of 10 registered voters took part in the poll, which the authorities and some observers welcomed as a transparent and peaceful election.

However, there were complaints of cases of irregularities in the process.

In some polling stations, the vote slowed down, while some electoral roller voters were unable to find where they were intended to throw their ballot.

Billy-Nzee said he was particularly concerned about the allegations that in some places unmarked newsletters do not behave in a safe place and that he fears that he could be used to fill newsletters.

Oligui Nguema’s victory brings him a seven -year term and resources to deal with corruption and poor governance that characterized Bongos’ time in power.

The highly articulated former commander of the Elite Republican Guard proved to be very popular with the population, relieved to get rid of the dynastic rule, promising to save the country of the patients who had struck Gabon’s image.

The small -rich oil and timber central African nation is home to only 2.5 million people.

Despite its resources, about 35% of the population still lives below the poverty line of $ 2 ($ 1.50) per day.