(10 Apr 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Libreville, Gabon – 9 April 2025
1. Various political posters supporting current interim president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who is running for the presidency in the first elections since he took power in a coup
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Eugène Ndonga, civil servant:
“The problem is the high cost of living. And if the president, the future president, can take a particular look at food prices, and not only food prices but also other aspects of daily life, that will be a good thing for us.”
3. View of Libreville’s ‘Democracy Roundabout’
4. Various posters supporting interim president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Alphonse Mbamendene, retired soldier:
“Now that we’re going to have a new regime, we’re waiting for the new president, he has to keep all of his promises. Because it’s good to make promises, but he has to keep them. He knows that the Gabonese people need roads and healthcare.”
6. Street scene in Libreville
7. Opposition posters
8. Fred Kapabi, an independent political consultant and analyst, walks into his office
9. SOUNDBITE (French) Fred Kapabi, independent political consultant:
“The goal was not to end a system. The goal was to end a regime. So, Ali Bongo had a regime. His regime, his government, is the "Young Team” (Bongo’s inner circle). The coup that took place did not have the goal of ending the PDG dynasty. This is the reason why, after having taken Ali Bongo and his regime out, you realize that we have witnessed a massive return of (PDG supporters).”
10. People in street
11. Poster for interim president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema
STORYLINE:
Gabon is heading to the polls this Saturday for its first presidential election since the 2023 military coup that ended a more than 50-year-old political dynasty.
In Libreville, political posters are overwhelmingly those in support of the interim president of the oil-rich nation, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema.
Oligui Nguema, a military officer who took power in the coup that deposed former president Ali Bongo Ondimba, is supported by many Gabonese, who accused Bongo of irresponsible governance and embezzlement of public funds.
The Bongo dynasty was seen as one that profited off of the country’s oil wealth while many lived in poverty. Oligui Nguema gained support on a platform of anti-corruption and change.
Eugène Ndonga, a civil servant, said he supports Nguema and hopes that he will address the problems of average Gabonese people. “The problem is the high cost of living. And if the president, the future president, can take a particular look at food prices, and not only food prices but also other aspects of daily life, that will be a good thing for us,” he said.
Following the 2023 coup, soldiers proclaimed Oligui Nguema, who was the Republican Guard chief and a cousin of Bongo, as president of a transitional committee to lead the country.
He promised a return to civilian rule through free and fair elections.
In March, Oligui Nguema announced he would run in the presidential election. Seven others are running.
Gabon’s new constitution, adopted in a referendum in November, sets the presidential term at seven years, renewable once.
Alphonse Mbamendene, a retired soldier, also said he supports Nguema. He said he hoped Nguema would help Gabon get better roads and healthcare, two issues that Nguema has campaigned on.
“He has to keep all of his promises. Because it’s good to make promises, but he has to keep them,” he said.
Approximately 350 French troops are in the country.
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