Gabon Military Leader Brice Oligui Nguema Faces Challenges in Presidential Election

Gabon’s military leader Brice Oligui Nguema will compete against three candidates, including former prime minister Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, in the presidential election on April 12. A total of 23 candidacies were submitted, but only four were accepted. Oligui has committed to restoring civilian governance, with a new electoral code facilitating his candidacy despite his military status.

Brice Oligui Nguema, the military leader of Gabon, will compete against three challengers in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for April 12. The candidates include Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under the deposed president Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is considered Oligui’s most formidable opponent. The other candidates are lawyer Joseph Lapensee Essingone and doctor Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui.

Interior Minister Hermann Immongault confirmed that a total of 23 Gabonese individuals presented their candidacies, yet only four were accepted as valid contenders. The reasons for the 19 rejected candidacies were not disclosed, but they included notable figures such as senator and trade union leader Jean-Remy Yama.

Oligui, who declared his candidacy on March 3, has committed to returning power to civilian rule. However, a recently approved electoral code by the transitional parliament permits military personnel to run for office, thus facilitating his election bid. Upon submitting his candidacy, Oligui received authorization from the Ministry of Defense to step down from his military role for the duration of the electoral process.

In summary, Gabon’s presidential election on April 12 is poised to be competitive, featuring military leader Brice Oligui Nguema facing three challengers, particularly the strong contender Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze. Despite the complications concerning candidate eligibility, Oligui aims to transition the country back to civilian governance, aided by a new electoral framework that allows military participation in elections.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com