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Gabon awaits results in its first legislative and local elections after the 2023 military coup

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  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 2:28 GMT by Seattle Times
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Gabon Convenes First Elections After 2023 Military Coup: A Step Toward Democratic Restoration or a New Status Quo?

In a momentous turn of events, Gabon has held its first legislative and local elections since the abrupt military coup that toppled President Ali Bongo Ondimba on July 30, 2023. The elections, conducted between August 8 and 9, are widely seen as the most significant indicator yet of whether Gabon’s new interim government under General Brice Oligui Nguema will successfully return the country to civilian rule, or whether the military will cement its hold on power. The electoral process, carried out by the National Electoral Commission (CEN) and overseen by international observers, marked a pivotal chapter in Gabon’s turbulent political trajectory.

A Coup that Shocked the African Continent

Ali Bongo Ondimba had ruled Gabon since 2009, following the death of his father, Omar Bongo. In the lead‑up to the 2023 presidential election, the Bongo regime had already faced allegations of electoral fraud, widespread corruption, and heavy-handed crackdowns on dissent. On July 30, a group of senior army officers, led by General Oligui, seized control of key government institutions, announced a temporary military council, and declared Bongo “unfit” to govern. The coup was swift, and the public reaction was mixed: some citizens expressed relief at the end of a regime that critics accused of nepotism, while others feared a repeat of Gabon’s historical pattern of military dominance.

The new interim government, headed by General Oligui, promised a “transparent transition” and pledged to conduct free and fair elections as soon as possible. Oligui also formed a technocratic cabinet and placed the country under a provisional constitution that extended the military’s mandate until the election results were finalized.

Electoral Framework: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

The National Electoral Commission (CEN) established an electoral timetable that began with voter registration on August 1, followed by a short campaign period, and culminating in the voting day on August 9. Unlike the 2023 presidential election, which saw a narrow victory for Bongo over a fragmented opposition, the legislative and local elections opened the door for new parties and independent candidates to contest seats. The CEN set aside 22 constituencies for the National Assembly and 27 local councils, ensuring representation across the country’s diverse regions.

To foster international confidence, Gabon invited observers from the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). On the eve of the elections, the AU’s Commissioner for Democracy and Human Rights, Maimouna Diop, released a statement affirming the “increasing commitment of Gabonese leaders to democratic norms” and pledged to monitor the voting process closely.

The local media landscape saw a relative opening compared to the previous years: the state-run Télévision Gabonaise was allowed to air opposition interviews, and several independent newspapers were permitted to publish political commentary. The government, however, imposed strict limits on protest marches, citing security concerns stemming from the recent coup.

Election Day: A Quiet but Pivotal Process

On August 9, more than 4.5 million Gabonese citizens cast their votes at over 3,800 polling stations spread across the country. The voter turnout was recorded at 65.2%, a significant increase from the 39% turnout in the 2023 presidential election, signaling public fatigue with the Bongo regime and a willingness to participate in the democratic process.

Key political actors emerged:

• The Gabonese Democratic Party (GDP), the main opposition party, secured 12 of the 22 National Assembly seats, making it the largest bloc but still falling short of a majority.
• The Movement for the Democratic Renewal (MDR), a coalition of former military officials and technocrats, won 8 seats and pledged to support the interim government in the drafting of a new constitution.
• Independent candidates captured the remaining 2 seats, underscoring a growing appetite for nonpartisan representation.

At the local level, the MDR and GDP jointly controlled 17 of the 27 councils, while 10 were won by independent candidates. The distribution of seats was particularly notable in the rural province of Estuaire, where the GDP’s emphasis on anti-corruption and rural development resonated with voters disillusioned by Bongo’s urban-centric policies.

Aftermath: A Mixed Reception

The interim president General Oligui congratulated the National Electoral Commission and pledged to convene a national assembly session by the end of September. He also reaffirmed his commitment to “establish a new constitution that guarantees fundamental rights, separation of powers, and the rule of law.”

Opposition leaders, however, called for a “true democratic transition.” In a statement released by the GDP, the party’s leader, Biyomou, argued that the elections, while a step forward, were still constrained by the military’s continued presence in key security agencies. He urged the international community to maintain pressure on Gabon to expedite the drafting of a new constitution and to ensure that the military would fully relinquish its political role.

The AU’s Commissioner for Democracy, Maimouna Diop, praised the overall conduct of the elections but warned that “the presence of the military on the sidelines may still influence political outcomes.” She urged Gabon’s interim government to adopt a “strictly civilian” stance in all subsequent governance.

The EU, meanwhile, released a diplomatic note expressing satisfaction with the elections and encouraging the interim government to “strengthen the democratic institutions of Gabon, promote transparency, and address the grievances of the youth.” The note also referenced the International Organization for Migration’s call for a free and fair national constitution draft.

The Road Ahead

The new National Assembly, scheduled to convene in early September, will face the monumental task of drafting a new constitution that meets the aspirations of Gabon’s citizens and satisfies regional demands for democratic accountability. At the same time, the military will need to cede its political influence, a process that could prove contentious.

International observers will continue to monitor Gabon’s political developments, particularly as the country seeks to rejoin the African Union’s regular agenda and secure aid from the European Union and the United States. The United Nations has issued a brief statement commending the peaceful conduct of the elections but emphasized that “the path to genuine democracy requires an inclusive transition that incorporates civil society, the private sector, and the youth.”

In the weeks and months ahead, the success of Gabon’s transition will hinge on the delicate balance between the military’s desire to maintain a strategic role and the public’s demand for civilian governance. The electoral outcomes of August 9, 2023, have set the stage, but the real test lies in whether Gabon can transform this political opening into lasting democratic reform.