In the aftermath of Gabon’s presidential election for which General Brice Clotaire Oligui
Nguema was declared the winner over the weekend, the African Union Commission welcomed the smooth conduct of the vote.
The body called on stakeholders critical of the outcome to exercise restraint.
Several African heads of state also expressed their satisfaction with the political transition in Gabon after the overthrow of Ali Bongo in August 2023.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, welcomed the smooth conduct of the polls held on April 12.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 15, he congratulated the Gabonese authorities for the smooth organisation of the election and acknowledged the provisional results announced by the Ministry of the Interior with General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema polling 90.35 percent of the votes.
Mahamoud Ali Youssouf reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to working closely with international partners to strengthen the democratic institutions of Gabon.
He also urged political actors and the Gabonese people to remain calm and serene while awaiting the proclamation of the final results by the Constitutional Court.
The Chairperson;s statement is part of a series of reactions from African leaders, who welcomed the
peaceful conduct of the election and congratulated General Oligui Nguema on his victory.
The President of Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo expressed “warm congratulations” to his “younger brother” Brice Oligui Nguema, hailing the Gabonese electoral process as one marked by peace and serenity.
Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara extended his best wishes to Gabon’s president-elect, while looking forward to continuing to strengthen the excellent relations of friendship and cooperation between their two countries.
Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama congratulated the Gabonese people on their peaceful transition to democratic governance, declaring it a major step forward for the country.
Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno expressed his warm congratulations to Brice Oligui Nguema on his election, renewing Chad’s commitment to working together to address the subregion’s shared challenges and strengthen bilateral relations.
After being declared the winner, General Oligui Nguema addressed the nation on Sunday evening in a message posted on social media.
Thanking Gabonese for their turnout, he praised the diversity of opinions expressed and pledged to be “the President of all Gabonese,” calling for unity, dialogue, and the collective construction of the country.
However, opposition leader Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, who came in second, rejected the results of
the April 12 election, calling it an “electoral charade.”
He denounced the election as “orchestrated” by the state apparatus in favour of the declared winner.
Nze cited fraud such as ballot stuffing and manipulation of figures, but made it clear that he was not going to challenge the outcome at the Constitutional Court.
He claimed that the hopes of a seamless transition has been “betrayed” and promised to continue his fight for a truly democratic Gabon.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA