Brice Nguema Announces Candidacy for Gabon’s April 2025 Presidential Election

General Brice Oligui Nguema has submitted his candidacy for Gabon’s April 2025 presidential election. Nguema, who has led the transitional government since the coup in 2023, registered at the Ministry of the Interior and was granted political eligibility. He will run as an independent candidate under the “Builders’ Movement” platform, inviting various factions to join his vision for the country. This marks Gabon’s first presidential election since the military takeover of President Ali Bongo Ondimba due to alleged electoral misconduct.

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s transitional government since the 2023 coup, has officially declared his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for April 2025. Nguema, who orchestrated the military takeover that ended the Bongo family’s long-standing rule, completed his registration at the Ministry of the Interior.

In his statement, Nguema revealed that the Ministry of National Defense had approved his political candidacy, rendering him eligible to seek office. He expressed his satisfaction, stating, “I am happy today to inform you that the Ministry of National Defense has favourably responded to my availability request. This means that since February 27, 2025, I am eligible to engage in politics and even occupy the supreme position,” as reported by AFP.

While there had been speculation regarding the establishment of a political party, Nguema announced his intention to run as an independent candidate. He introduced a political platform termed “The Builders’ Movement,” which invites participation from political parties, unions, youth organizations, and intellectuals in his vision for Gabon’s future.

He articulated, “There is no reason to create a party. Time does not allow us to do so. But like the others, I will go as an independent. Within this platform, I invite associations, political parties, unions, youth, intellectual elites, and all those who have supported me since the beginning of the transition to join us so that together we can build this country and move forward.”

Nguema’s candidacy represents a pivotal moment in Gabon’s journey towards a return to civilian governance. His leadership has primarily focused on stabilizing the nation following the coup, which was initiated due to alleged election irregularities and governance failures under former President Ali Bongo Ondimba – marking the April elections as the first since this significant political change.

In summary, General Brice Oligui Nguema’s candidacy for the April 2025 presidential election signifies a critical juncture in Gabon’s ongoing return to civilian rule. His decision to run as an independent candidate under the “Builders’ Movement” platform, while forgoing the creation of a political party, emphasizes collaboration across various societal sectors. This election will be pivotal, following the transitional government’s establishment post-coup to address the challenges faced by the nation since the ousting of Ali Bongo Ondimba.

Original Source: globalsouthworld.com