Gabon’s military leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, will compete against three other candidates in the upcoming presidential election set for April 12, 2025, according to the final list of candidates published on Sunday.
Among the challengers is Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, the last prime minister under ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who is seen as Oligui’s strongest opponent.
Oligui, who led the military coup that ended the 55-year rule of the Bongo family, faces competition from lawyer and tax inspector Joseph Lapensee Essingone and doctor Stéphane Germain Iloko Boussengui.
Interior Minister Hermann Immongault announced that 23 candidates had applied, but only four were deemed admissible.
Reasons for rejecting the 19 other applications, including that of leading trade unionist Jean-Remy Yama, were not disclosed, although the rejected candidates have the right to appeal to the Constitutional Court.
Oligui, who declared his candidacy on March 3, has promised to return power to civilians after a transitional period.
A newly passed electoral code allows military personnel to run for office, making Oligui’s presidential bid possible. He filed his candidacy on Saturday and announced he would run as an independent.
Campaigning for the election will begin on March 29, with no date yet set for a possible second-round run-off.
