Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s President-elect, will be formally sworn in on Saturday, marking the culmination of a dramatic political shift in the country. Oligui, a former general and leader of the military junta that ousted Ali Bongo in August 2023, secured a sweeping victory in last month’s elections, winning nearly 95% of the vote.
His ascension to the presidency follows a 19-month transitional government after he led the coup that ended over 55 years of Bongo family rule. Now, Oligui officially takes the reins of power in Gabon, with a diverse array of African heads of state expected to attend the inauguration at a 40,000-capacity stadium north of the capital, Libreville.
Among the leaders confirmed to attend are Gambia’s President Adama Barrow, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Djibouti’s Ismail Omar Guelleh, and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. Additionally, Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame are also slated to participate, with Kagame’s attendance officially confirmed by Kigali’s foreign ministry. Notably, Kigali and Kinshasa are in ongoing talks aimed at resolving tensions and fighting in eastern DRC.
Tickets for the event at the Angondje Stadium, which was built as a symbol of Gabon’s historical ties with China, are free to the public. The ceremony will be the first of its kind in Gabon, with such a large audience in attendance for the swearing-in of a new president.
Celebrations and preparations
The inauguration will feature artistic performances, a military parade, and a “victory concert” along the Libreville waterfront later in the evening, according to state media. In preparation for the event, hundreds of workers have been cleaning and repainting key areas around the main roads leading to the stadium.
Authorities have called for public cooperation, urging residents of Greater Libreville to offer a warm welcome to foreign guests. The interior ministry released a statement urging citizens near the stadium to participate in the beautification efforts, ensuring the city is in top form for the occasion.
Oligui’s challenges ahead
At 50, Oligui faces considerable challenges in leading an oil-rich nation that is in desperate need of economic diversification and infrastructure overhaul. Gabon, heavily indebted and with an economy reliant on oil, struggles with an ageing electricity network plagued by frequent power outages, a youth unemployment rate of 40%, and a road network that remains underdeveloped.
Public debt, which is forecast to reach 80% of GDP this year, is another pressing concern. Throughout the transition period, Oligui portrayed himself as a “builder,” launching various construction projects and promising to tackle the nation’s deep-seated corruption to steer the country towards stability and prosperity.
AFP
