Gabon’s Oligui sworn in as president after landslide election victory: Video
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the former junta leader who ended more than half a century of Bongo family rule, has been officially sworn in as Gabon’s president on Thursday, following a resounding victory in last month’s election.
Oligui, who secured nearly 95 percent of the vote, took the oath of office before a packed stadium and a gathering of over a dozen African heads of state, marking the start of a seven-year term. His swearing-in comes after 19 months of military rule, which began when he led a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo in August 2023.
“I, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, elected President of the Republic, pledge before God and our ancestors and the people of Gabon to preserve all my strength for their well-being,” Oligui declared during the ceremony.
The event was attended by several regional leaders, including Senegal’s Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Gambia’s Adama Barrow, Djibouti’s Ismail Omar Guelleh, Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, DR Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi, and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.
In the crowd, citizens expressed optimism and tempered expectations. Laetitia Kelly, a 35-year-old beautician, told the AFP, “I came here today to see what I voted for on April 12. What I expect now is that the president continues the good work he started since August 30.”
Ralph Ondounda, a 40-year-old electromechanical engineer, emphasised the needs of the country’s younger generation, “For the next seven years, we expect the president-elect to respect his commitments. Young people need to be empowered, they need jobs and social services. But really, this is about all Gabonese people.”
