Brice Oligui Nguema, who rose to power after ousting Ali Bongo in a coup last August, is set to be sworn in as Gabon’s new President on Saturday following his overwhelming election victory, where he reportedly secured nearly 95 percent of the vote.
Oligui, a general and former junta leader, brings an end to 55 years of Bongo family dominance in Gabon. He will assume office officially after leading the country through a 19-month transitional government.
Several African heads of state are expected to attend the inauguration in a 40,000-capacity stadium, north of the capital, Libreville.
They include Gambia’s Adama Barrow, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Djibouti’s Ismail Omar Guelleh and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo from Equatorial Guinea.
According to local and international media, Democratic Republic of Congo’s president, Felix Tshisekedi, will also be present, along with his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, whose attendance was confirmed by Kigali’s foreign ministry.
Kigali and Kinshasa are currently in talks to end fighting in eastern DRC.
Tickets were free to attend the investiture at the Angondje stadium, built to honour friendship between Gabon and China, and it will be the first time the country holds a swearing-in ceremony in front of such a large audience.
– Challenges ahead –
The event is slated to have artistic performances and a military parade, according to state media, which will be followed by a “victory concert” on the Libreville waterfront in the evening.
In the lead-up, hundreds of workers have been painstakingly cleaning and repainting areas around the main roads leading to the stadium.
Authorities and official media have called for people to be public-spirited in view of the influx of foreign guests.
“All citizens of Greater Libreville are asked to extend a warm welcome to these distinguished guests,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
It called on residents near the stadium to “take part in cleaning and beautifying” the area.
Oligui, 50, faces serious challenges in leading the oil-rich country, which needs to revamp crucial infrastructure and diversify its economy, but is heavily indebted.
Among the main concerns are an ageing electricity network, which suffers frequent power cuts, youth unemployment that hovers at 40 per cent, poor or lacking roads and a ballooning public debt, forecast to hit 80 per cent of GDP this year.
During the transition, Oligui portrayed himself as a “builder”, launching numerous construction projects, while vowing to “crack down” on corruption to get the country back on track. (AFP)
What you should know
Brice Oligui Nguema’s rise to power followed a military coup, which, although popular with many citizens, does not meet traditional democratic standards.
Gabon’s constitution requires democratic elections under civilian rule, and the international community is watching to see whether Oligui’s presidency will bring genuine reforms or entrench military control.
His administration must now navigate economic recovery, infrastructural development, and public sector reform while under scrutiny for the legitimacy of the electoral process.
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