Gabon’s military leader Brice Oligui Nguema will compete against three challengers, including former Prime Minister Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, in the April 12 presidential election. The candidacy list received widespread scrutiny, with 23 applications submitted but only four accepted, highlighting political tensions following a military coup that unseated the Bongo family after 55 years.
In Gabon’s presidential election scheduled for April 12, military leader Brice Oligui Nguema will contend with three challengers, notably including Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under the deposed Ali Bongo Ondimba. Bilie By Nze is regarded as Oligui’s most formidable opponent, who orchestrated the military coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year hold on power in the country.
The candidates also include lawyer and tax inspector Joseph Lapensee Essingone, and physician Stephane Germain Iloko Boussengui, rounding out the list of contenders. Interior Minister Hermann Immongault announced that out of 23 candidacies submitted, only four were accepted, though he did not provide specifics regarding the 19 rejections, which included notable figures such as trade unionist Jean-Remy Yama.
Brice Oligui Nguema declared his presidential ambitions on March 3, promising a transition of power from military to civilian leadership in Gabon. Nevertheless, a newly approved electoral code allows military personnel to participate in elections, thus enabling Oligui’s candidacy. Upon filing to run, Oligui confirmed that he received approval from the Ministry of Defense to remove his general’s uniform for the election period as mandated by regulations.
The upcoming Gabonese presidential election will showcase military leader Brice Oligui Nguema alongside three challengers, with Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze identified as his strongest opponent. The election has drawn attention to the newly amended electoral code facilitating military candidacy, reflecting a significant political shift in Gabon.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
