Gabon election: Result of first post-coup poll to be known soon
The authorities in Gabon have said that provisional results from Saturday's presidential election - the first since the 2023 coup that ousted Ali Bongo from power - will be known later on Sunday.The coup mastermind Gen Brice Oligui Nguema changed the constitution to allow him to run for the presidency.Ahead of the election, critics argued the constitution and electoral code were designed to give the military man a comfortable pathway to the top job.The August 2023 coup brought an end to the rule by the Bongo dynasty, which had been in power for more than five decades.
Some opposition heavyweights who could have seriously challenged Oligui Nguema at the polls were excluded from the race.Eight hopefuls are in the running to become president, with only one woman in the race - Gninga Chaning Zenaba.Other presidential challengers include former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, who served under the Bongo regime, as well as two stalwarts of the former ruling PDG party, Stéphane Germain Iloko and Alain Simplice Boungouères.Whoever wins the election will have the burden of ridding the country of corruption, bad governance, and other ills which characterised the Bongos' time in power.Who is Gen Brice Oligui Nguema?Why Gabon's coup leader is bucking a trend by embracing democracy
Turn out on Saturday in some polling stations in the capital, Libreville, seemed high with long queues of voters eager to cast their ballots.The election was largely peaceful, with some observers and candidates praising the conduct of the polls. Earlier in the day, Oligui Nguema said the elections, which he described as transparent, would usher the country and its people into a new republic.However, Bilie-by-Nze alleged that there were some problems at polling stations which could potentially lead to fraud.The small oil- and timber-rich central African nation is home to just 2.5 million people. Despite its resources, about 35% of the population still live below the poverty line of $2 (£1.50) a day.
More BBC stories on Gabon:
Why does France have military bases in Africa?Self-medicating gorillas may hold new drugs cluesGabon's predators on the pitch: Inside a paedophile football scandal
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
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Spectator
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Why isn't the BBC telling us what caused the Ballymena riots?
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The Herald Scotland
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Spectator
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I've lost control of the kitchen
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I sank to my chair and applied golden, crusted Rodda's thickly to my scone. It was clear there'd still be a whole other meal 'later', i.e. between now and children's supper and, after that, two more days of culinary occupation. On day three the dishwasher flooded. On day four, the Aga went out as if in protest and could not be relit. Looking back, yes – it was lunch. Lose lunch, and you'll be out-generalled in your own kitchen by a chicken traybake.
