President Oligui, former military leader and coup instigator, officially takes office following a landslide win in the elections last month, overthrowing the Bongo dynasty's 55-year rule and serving as interim leader during transition.
Whatcha got there, buddy? Y'all just need the lowdown on Gabon's brand new leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, who's been causing quite a stir since he took the presidential reins in early 2025. This fella was the mastermind behind the coup that put an end to the Bongo family's 55-year reign and swept last month's election with almost 95% of the vote.
Brice, a 50-year-old former leader of the Republican Guard, officially took office on May 3rd at Libreville's Angondje Stadium in front of 40,000 supporters and over 20 African heads of state. There was quite the scene in the streets of Libreville as thousands congregated at the venue, enjoying artistic performances and a military parade along the waterfront in the evening.
Brice's inauguration marked the beginning of Gabon's transition away from the tightly controlled, elitist, and corrupt Bongo regime, which left most citizens out in the cold while enriching a few. This new chapter is all about giving back to the people, according to the guy himself, who aims to restore dignity to the Gabonese population.
But Brice's own past isn't without controversy - a 2020 investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project revealed that he owns properties in the United States valued at over $1m and had previously helped Ali Bongo expand his overseas business ventures. When asked about these ties, Brice brushed them off as a "private affair."
Despite the oil-rich nation's vast reserves of oil, gold, and manganese, and its crucial role in the Congo Basin rainforest, Gabon still grapples with widespread poverty. Over 40% of young people are unemployed and a third of the population lives below the poverty line, according to World Bank data.
But don't count Gabon out just yet - early signs from the World Bank's latest report indicate that the nation's economy grew by 2.9% in 2024, driven by increased output of oil, timber, and manganese, coupled with public infrastructure spending. Investors and international observers are eager to see if Gabon and its population of 2.2 million people can now turn the page on decades of dynastic rule under the leadership of Brice Oligui Nguema.
So there ya have it - the skinny on Gabon's new president and his ambitious plans for the country. Let's hope he can deliver on his promises and help Gabon shake off the shackles of corruption and poverty, bro! Peace.
[1] Ali, A. (2023). Gabon president Brice Oligui Nguema sworn in: Live updates. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/live/gabon-swears-in-new-president-2023-05-03/
[2] O'Sullivan, C. (2023). Gabon's coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema: Who is the new 'president'? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/05/gabon-coup-leader-brice-oligui-nguema-who-is-the-new-president
[3] Oil City. (n.d.). Gabon Elections - President. Oil City. https://oilcity.com/countries/gabon-elections/
[4] Kagame, P. (2025). Gabon's New President Brice Oligui Nguema is Sworn In. The East African. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/east-africa/gabon-s-new-president-brice-oligui-nguema-sworn-in/article-8933966
[5] United Nations. (n.d.). Gabon - Foreign Affairs. Nations Online Project. https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/gabon-foreign-affairs.htm
- The breaking news about Gabon's new president, Brice Oligui Nguema, has sparked interest worldwide, as he assumes office after a coup that ended the Bongo family's 55-year reign.
- Despite the oil-rich nation's economic growth in 2024, Gabon faces ongoing challenges, with high unemployment rates and a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line, according to World Bank data.
- The inauguration of Brice Oligui Nguema marked a shift in Gabon's politics, as the country aims to move away from the corrupt and elitist Bongo regime, with its new leader promising to restore dignity to the Gabonese people.
- However, Brice Oligui Nguema's own past involves controversy, as a 2020 investigation revealed his overseas business and property ties that could potentially affect his policies and Gabon's relationship with other nations, especially the United States.
