Gabon officially began swearing in President-elect Brice Oligui Nguema on Saturday, following his sweeping victory in last month’s polls where he secured nearly 95% of the vote. The ceremony marks a historic moment, as Oligui — a general and former junta leader — led the coup that ousted Ali Bongo in August 2023, ending the Bongo family’s 55-year rule.
After heading a 19-month transitional government, Oligui now formally assumes the presidency. The inauguration, held at the 40,000-seat Angondje stadium north of Libreville, drew around 20 African heads of state, including Gambia’s Adama Barrow, Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Djibouti’s Ismail Omar Guelleh, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi.
Supporters filled the stadium, many wearing T-shirts and waving flags with Oligui’s image. The event, free to attend, featured artistic performances, a military parade, and was set to conclude with a “victory concert” along the Libreville waterfront.
Ahead of the ceremony, workers cleaned and repainted roads around the capital, while authorities urged locals to help beautify the area and extend a warm welcome to international guests.
At 50, Oligui now faces the task of steering Gabon through deep-rooted challenges. The oil-rich nation grapples with frequent power cuts from an ageing electricity grid, poor infrastructure, youth unemployment at 40%, and a public debt expected to reach 80% of GDP this year.
During his transitional rule, Oligui branded himself a “builder,” initiating major construction efforts and promising to combat corruption in a bid to revive the country’s struggling economy.
