Gabon presidential election: Four candidacies validated, several rejected

Strict selection for the April 2025 ballot

Gabon’s National Commission for the Organization and Coordination of Elections (CNOCE) has validated 4 of the 23 candidacies submitted for the presidential election scheduled for April 12, 2025. Among the successful candidates are General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, current head of the transition, andAlain Claude Billie By Nze, former Prime Minister under the deposed regime.

Major candidates rejected

The commission also rejected several emblematic candidates, including Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou, leader of the Social Democratic Party. The former vice-president of Gabon had his application rejected due to the age limit, a decision he strongly contested.

“Dismissing an experienced candidate on the grounds of age is simply vile. And whoever accepts that accepts death. I don’t accept death,” he declared.

Maganga Moussavou fought until the last minute to have his candidacy validated, but his efforts were not enough in the face of the commission’s strict criteria.

Other notable releases

Trade unionist Jean Rémi Yama, a recent convert to politics, was also excluded for lack of a civil status certificate. A decision he considers unjustified:

“Our file is complete. It’s not because of a town hall deed that it should be rejected,” he asserted.

In addition, four women attempting to enter the presidential race for the first time had their applications rejected, mainly due to short administrative deadlines. Among them, Marlène Essola Nfountame expressed her frustration at the slowness of administrative services:

“The administrations were not able to produce the required documents within the allotted time. Some even sent us back to the following Monday to collect documents that had already been drawn up but not signed”, she explained.

A provisional shortlist

For the time being, the Ministry of the Interior has published a provisional list of four candidates eligible to take part in the April 12, 2025 ballot. This list may still evolve, depending on any subsequent challenges and rulings.

Conclusion

The validation of candidacies for the Gabonese presidential election reflects the rigor of the electoral criteria, but also raises questions about the timing and transparency of the process. While General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has emerged as the front-runner, candidates who have been eliminated are complaining of administrative obstacles and discriminatory criteria. This election promises to be decisive for Gabon’s political future, in a context of transition marked by high expectations in terms of governance and democracy.