Gabon prepares for presidential elections in April

Gabon will hold its presidential elections on April 12, the first since the army took power in the country, the council of ministers announced.

Gabon’s long-ruling President Ali Bongo was deposed in August, 2023, in a coup led by head of the presidential guard Brice Oligui Nguema, who took Gabon’s interim presidency.

The coup was the eighth to take place in West and central Africa between 2020 and 2023.

Gabon remains heavily reliant on its oil and mineral sectors. The country is home to significant reserves of crude oil and manganese, which are major sources of revenue.

Despite having one of the highest GDPs per capita in Africa, nearly 40% of Gabonese live in poverty.

The transitional government under Nguema has promised to stabilize the economy and prepare for democratic elections.