General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the central figure in the coup d’état of August 30 2023 that toppled Ali Bongo Ondimba, is establishing himself as a major player in Gabonese politics. He followed a military career marked by a rapid rise through the ranks of the army, notably within the Republican Guard, the elite unit of the Gabonese army. Since taking power, General Oligui Nguema has promised to return power to civilians. However, in the run-up to the presidential election on April 12 2025, he announced his candidacy, saying it was in response to a call from the Gabonese people.
From his position as head of the Republican Guard, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema became Gabon’s Transitional President after taking part in the coup that toppled Ali Bongo Ondimba on August 30th 2023. Having taken control of the country, he is committed to leading a peaceful transition and re-establishing civilian rule. Under the leadership of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), Gabon has embarked on a process of democratisation designed to pave the way for a new political era.
“To restore the institutions, we set up a transition programme, which we have respected. We held a national dialogue, we voted on the constitution and we have an electoral code. What remains for us to do is to return to constitutional order. That’s the elections. The most important thing is that they should be free, transparent and peaceful.”
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Presidential candidate – Gabon
After taking office as President of the transition in September 2023, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema quickly rejected the notion of a ‘coup d’état’, preferring to describe it as a ‘liberation coup’. In April 2024, he launched an inclusive national dialogue to prepare for the transfer of power to civilians at the end of a two-year transition. This process led to the adoption of a new constitution in November 2024, paving the way for the presidential election scheduled for April 12 2025.
“We have achieved this cost of liberation, in order to restore your dignity. The time has come. On 12 April 2025, I ask you to go and vote.”
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Presidential candidate – Gabon
Brice Oligui Nguema joined the Republican Guard under the reign of Omar Bongo. He trained in Morocco, where he joined the Royal Military Academy in Meknes. In 2019, at the time a colonel, he returned to Gabon and took over as head of intelligence for the Republican Guard. In 2020, he will become Commander-in-Chief of this elite unit. If elected in the presidential election on April, 12th Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, 50, will be the fourth president to lead Gabon.
