Oligui Noguea prefers to win the Gabon elections

Gabon voters in Gabon are scheduled to choose their next boss on Saturday, and on paper they have many options: fighting the French, a general who made a coup, a tax inspector, and a candidate in this country in the oil -rich Africa.

But most of the candidates and experts agree that the elections may be a deal that has been accomplished. They say that the race has been forged in favor of Brice Oligui Nguea, the general who organized a coup in 2023 and ignored his early promises to hand over power to a civilian.

“It is not an equal stadium to start,” said Joseph Siegel, director of research at the Center for Strategic Studies in Washington.

Gabon is a resource -rich country with a population of 2.5 million, which has been ruled by one family for a long time. Although the wealthy are from other countries in sub -Saharan Africa, the unemployment is widespread and poverty, which makes those major issues for voters.

Here is what to know about the presidential competition.

Who are the main competitors?

A 50 -year -old general has replaced uniforms with jeans and Jordanian shoes, and Michael Jackson Dancing moves on the Campaign, Mr. Nguea is widely inclined to win.

Mr. NGUEMA served as a DE-Camp assistant for long-bound Autocrat Gabon, Omar BongoAnd the head of the Republican Guard was under his son, Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was take off In 2023.

With this coup, Mr. Nogima ended the operation of one of the longest families in Africa. Omar Bongo has occupied the authority for 41 years, and his son has held his position for 14 years.

This coup was the last nine military acquisition that rocked West and Central Africa since 2020.

But Mr. Nujima renamed himself as a traditional candidate in the elections, with the campaign slogan “he is good”, or “C’Bon” in French, and it is a play on the first letters of that. He promised to build large infrastructure projects, including a new airport, describing himself as “Brice The Builder”.

He also pledged to preserve relations with France, the former colonial power, which It was recently requested to withdraw Forces from several African countries. There are about 350 French soldiers in Gabon, but Mr. Nujima has He said“I do not chase anyone.”

Paul Moss, a 35 -year -old businessman, said on Friday that he would vote for Mr. Nujima because he united the country and embodies the renewal. He said: “You cannot call President Baris Oligoy a dictator.” “The dictator does not return energy to people through the ballot box.”

His most dangerous opponent is Alain-Claude Bilie -By-Nze, who was Prime Minister Bongo.

Mr. Bilie-By-Nze, 57, has pledged to separate from the Gabon political system before cutting, dismantling his network and reducing the French influence, although he has been working long ago within this system.

He also described the potential elections of Mr. Najmima as a threat to democracy and said he wanted to diversify the Gabon economy and reduce its dependence on oil revenues.

Lururi Mambundo, a 26-year-old law student, said that she would vote for Mr. Billy-for his political experience.

She said: “He is the most efficient candidate today, but also the person who will be the easiest to punish our voices if he betrays people’s confidence.” “This is a guarantee against the erosion that we all fear.”

What are the main issues?

Gabon is rich in metal resources. It carries a quarter of the world’s reserves in the world, and it is a metal used to produce steel. But its economy still depends excessively on oil, which represents 38 percent of Gabon GDP.

The country is among the most corrupt countries in the world, according to The Watchdog International transparency. More than 40 percent of young people in Gabon are unemployed. A third of 2.5 million people live in less than $ 5.50 a day, according to the World Bank.

Under the leadership of Mr. Nguima, the interim authorities have adopted a new constitution that allows the army to run for a position. It also limits the president to seven years.

Mr. Siegel said that the general had borrowed from the book of play for another country in Central Africa, Chad, whose leader seized power when his father was killed in 2021, which was later announced in the elections.

Mr. Bili Bani said that Mr. Nujima had vanished the electoral rules using state funds to finance his campaign, while another candidate did not receive such support. “The military council leader has designed a constitution and an electoral law for his needs to confiscate power,” Mr. Billy Nazi said in a statement.

A spokesman for Mr. Nujima refused to comment.

An area full of aging leaders

Many Central African countries are governed by authoritarian leaders, including the three best presidents in Africa. Two Gabon neighbors: President From Cameroon in power 42 years and the president From the Republic of the Congo, he held his position for 38 years.

In Gabon, the two main candidates have a long history with the Bongo family, but they tried to stay away from it. Each of them was accused of being a candidate for the old regime.

When will the results be announced?

About 860,000 people are expected to go to the polls on Saturday. The results are expected to be announced before April 16.

Yann Leyimangiae contributes to reports from Libreville, Gabon.