Gabon elections: Bongo aims for third term; opposition optimistic of victory

Voters in Gabon are awaiting results from Saturday’s (26 August) triple election — in which President Ali Bongo Ondimba is seeking a third term after taking office in 2009 — but that were marred by delays, internet blockage, and night curfew.

The 64-year-old incumbent, whose family has ruled the country for 56 years, is being challenged by joint opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa, a former minister and economics professor. In the presidential and parliamentary elections, both politicians lead a race of 14 candidates vying for the top job in the small oil-rich central African state.

Ossa, who served as a minister under the late Omar Bongo from 2006 to 2009, was chosen by the main opposition grouping — Alternance 2023 — as its common candidate just eight days before the election.

In 2009, Ondimba succeeded his father Omar, who died after more than 41 years in power. For years, Bongo, struggled in the shadow of his charismatic father, having been only narrowly re-elected with just 5,500 more votes than his rival in 2016.

The announcement of the results and widespread suspicion of election fraud sparked violence in the capital Libreville that left scores dead. In October 2018, Bongo suffered a stroke and his subsequent prolonged absence stoked claims he was unfit to rule effectively, fueling a minor attempted coup.

In the days leading up to the ballots, the main opposition parties have cried foul over a last-minute change to voting rules in the legislative race which they say violates the separation of powers. In the run-up to the vote, the opposition accused the Bongo government of deliberately creating a disorganized election and denounced “fraud” in its battle for the presidency against incumbent Ondimba.

Shortly after casting his vote, Ossa called on Bongo to step down and said he could “guarantee” his security. Gabonese authorities responded by cutting internet access and announcing a nightly curfew. The elections have gone ahead without the presence of election observers.