Why is the leader of the Bris State coup leader Clotor Aligua Nguema takes democracy

Just over 19 months after the bloodless coup, which finished more than five decades of Bong family, Gabon’s people are going to go to the polls to select a new head of state – having conducted a tendency that saw the military elsewhere in Africa who adhere to the authorities.

The predominant favorite in the Saturday race is a man who led this peaceful coup and has since reigned on the political stage, Bris Cloror Oligoem Nguema.

Having abandoned the fatigue of his soldier and military status in favor of the lawsuit of the politician, this very clearly expressed former commander of the elite republican guard faces seven other candidates.

Popularity among the population with relief has got rid of dynastic control – and with the help of election norms that deprived some key applicants – the 50 -year -old boy seems to ensure the immediate majority in the first newsletter.

His slogan of the company – using his initials “C’Bon” is a play on French words “C’est Bon”, which means “that’s good.”

His chances of avoiding runoff in the second round are supported by the fact that his main contender-one of the rare political or civil society firms, so as not to rally towards his case, is the latest Prime Minister of the old regime, Allen Claude Bili-nze, known for its initiatives by ACBBN.

The victory will bring a seven-year mandate and resources for the development and modernization of reforms at the pace that the rules of the African countries could not even dream.

A total of 2.5 million people, Gabon is a producer of oil and the second largest exporter of manganese in the world.

Its territory, which sits on the equator, covers some of the most biodegradable tracts of the Congo basin.

And, in addition to the harsh repression after the elections in the capital, Libreville, in 2016, the country used mainly a calm recent history that contrasts with conflicts and instability affected by many regional neighbors.

Aligui Nguyham and his republican guards did not meet the resistance when they seized power on August 30, 2023, only a few hours after the electoral bodies went on the air in the middle of the night to say that the incumbent Ali Bongo provided a third seven -year voting term.

It was difficult to consider this official result reliable. Ali Bong, who changed his father Omar in 2009, alone in 2016 struck a narrow and very controversial victory.

When he suffered a stroke two years later, during a visit to Saudi Arabia and started a painstaking gradual recovery, a wide popular sympathy took place.

But the mood shifted after he decided to perform on the third term, despite his markedly weak health, it caused extensive resentment against the alleged influence and ambition of his French wife Silvia and his son Nurdin Bong Valentine.

A peaceful intervention of the military to prevent the continuation of the regime arrested Ali Restriction in forced retirement in their private villaThe spontaneous celebrations among the many Gabonezs, which are tired of this, obviously motionless dynasty, were caused.

And the coup was greeted with a sigh of relief even by most administrative, political and civil elites.

Oligui NGUEMA accepted the penetrating advantage, continuing to create extensive support for its transition mode. He brought former government officials, opponents and well -known critical civilians who vote in the structure of power or institutions such as the appointed Senate.

Political detainees were released, though wife and son Ali Bong remain in detention, waiting for trial on corruption.

He did not resort to a kind of repression on dissent or freedom of the media, which became the usual instrument of other military leaders of Francophone in Mali, Guinea, Burkin -fos and Niger.

On the diplomatic front, unlike the persistently anti-Western posture adopted in West Africa, Oligui NGUEMA sent older data to educate the international reputation and assure the traditional Gabon partners in its determination in the restoration of the civil constitutional government.

Relations with France, the former colonial force and the previously ally of the Bong regime, are warm.

Recently, two governments have agreed to convert a de Gaulle camp, a long -standing French base in Gabon, into a new training center that they will work together.

Showing a nimble popular and political touch, Oligui NGUEMA responded to public famine to change public works and projects delay.

And during the growth of popular support in Francophone Africa for more significantly persistent protection of national interests, its government has acquired assets of Gabonezs of several foreign oil companies, including Tullow in the UK.

To facilitate restrictions on the government’s financing, he borrowed on the regional money market, but also insightful sought to assure international partners.

Most of the $ 520 million (461 million pounds), collected in February, was used to pay old debt, and the government also postponed the funds to clear the debt to the World Bank.

But if it is almost certain if he is elected head of Gabon, Oligui NGUEMA will face significant problems.

Such was the hunger of the public to change, which in many ways the transition was an easy part. There was little public pressure that restricts his freedom of maneuver.

There was a wide consensus over the inclusion of the ban on dynastic continuity in the new constitution.

When Oligui NGUEMA deprived the concerns of the parliamentarians on the concentration of the executive in the presidency, abolishing the post of Prime Minister, little fuss.

But it means that, going forward, in full weight of responsibility for the satisfaction of society’s expectations only on his shoulders.

Famous Company about the tropical forest brand about foodjoined their transitional administration or political machine, Rassemblement des Bâtisseurs (RDB), and may well play important roles after the election.

However, the focus will be on the Oligui NGUEMA itself. And he will face complex problems.

Gabon has long positioned himself as a leader in the preservation of the rainforest and its extremely diverse flora and fauna, attracting international praise for the insightful use of climate financing tools in 2023 became the first country south of the Sahara, which completed the debt and poop swap.

But this strategic approach must be coordinated with economic pressure to fully use other natural resources, in particular minerals and oil, as well as with the needs of rural settlements that seek to protect their rights for hunting and agriculture.

The urban population, especially in Libreville – lives almost half of the country’s population – requires more jobs and best services, in the country whose social development report causes its relative wealth.

Trade Union Jean Remy Yam, which is expelled from the presidential race because he was unable to make a birth certificate, a nomination requirement, is one figure with a significant next one who can give a voice to popular disappointment.

For oligui nguema the most difficult work must begin.

Paul had – a consulting officer of the African program at the Chatem House in London.