By Hadiza Abdulkadir
Gabonese voters head to the polls Saturday in a pivotal election expected to cement army officer Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s grip on power. Nguema, who led a coup last year ousting long-time ruler Ali Bongo, is widely popular for ending the Bongo family’s decades-long rule.
Unlike many juntas across Africa, Nguema has allowed relatively free elections and avoided harsh crackdowns. However, concerns remain about his democratic intentions.
A new constitution passed in November boosts presidential powers, and Nguema—though promising to step down from the military—has yet to do so formally.
International observers are watching closely, hoping Gabon can buck the trend of prolonged military rule seen in parts of West and Central Africa.
The outcome of this election may shape the country’s democratic future and signal whether Nguema intends to truly hand power back to civilians.