General Brice Secures 90% of Victory in Gabon's Presidential Election

General Brice Oligui Nguema, the military ruler of Gabon, has emerged victorious in Saturday’s presidential election, securing more than 90 percent of the votes.

Nguema, who orchestrated a coup in 2023 that ended Ali Bongo's nearly 60-year rule, was declared the winner of the election on Sunday.

In a nationwide announcement, Minister of the Interior Hermann Immongault stated, “Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is elected (president) by an absolute majority of votes cast, with 575,222 votes.” His closest competitor, Bilie-by-Nze, garnered just over 3 percent of the votes.

In an interview with Al Jazeera shortly after his victory was announced,  Nguema remarked, “I will give back to the people what they have given me today. And everything that has been taken from the people, I desire to return to them.”

At 50 years old,  Nguema triumphed over seven other candidates, including former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, who was part of the Bongo administration, solidifying his hold on power in Gabon.