Dennis Osadebe
Folk are heading to the polls to pick out the then president of Gabon, the place for the primary pace in a long time a Bongo folk member isn’t at the poll.
Former President Ali Bongo used to be pressured from energy 19 months in the past through coup mastermind Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, who in flip has modified the charter to permit him to run in Saturday’s election.
A complete of 8 applicants are within the operating to turn out to be president, with just one lady within the race – Gninga Chaning Zenaba.
Alternative presidential challengers come with former High Minister Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, who served underneath the Bongo regime, in addition to two stalwarts of the previous ruling PDG birthday celebration, Stéphane Germain Iloko and Alain Simplice Boungouères.
Election effects may get started being introduced on Sunday, however officers can proceed the rely into then time.
Alike to 1,000,000 folk are anticipated to vote in Gabon and its diaspora.
The petite oil- and timber-rich central African community is house to simply 2.5 million folk. In spite of its assets, about 35% of the nation nonetheless reside underneath the poverty form of $2 (£1.50) a time.
Right through the two-week marketing campaign length, lots of the applicants prioritised reacing electorate within the inner day rallies within the capital, Libreville, had been restricted.
But massive numbers of posters and billboards for Oligui Nguema dominate Libreville’s streets, with only a few of his opponents’ advertisements ocular.
“I will vote for the builder Oligui Nguema,” reads a marketing campaign message at the lead of taxi driving force Landry Obame-Mezui’s car, who likes the junta chief as a result of he “came in with a new way of doing things – action before speeches”.
However critics of Oligui Nguema say he has presided over an unfair transitional and electoral procedure, ushering in a untouched charter and electoral code designed to favour his personal candidacy within the election, in spite of his agreement handy over energy to civilians.
An higher hour restrict used to be additionally offered, making certainly one of Oligui Nguema’s maximum common opposition opponents Albert Ondo Ossa ineligible.
Travel “back to the barracks,” used to be the jibe from the person visible as Oligui Nguema’s closest rival within the vote, Bilie-by-Nze. He considers himself the exchange the rustic wishes, however his closeness to the ousted regime nonetheless draws grievance from some.
Upcoming 55 successive years underneath President Omar Bongo and his son Ali Bongo, Gabonese folk have instructed the BBC that every one they’ve sought after is an finish to the embezzlement, cronyism, indebtedness and unemployment they’ve continued.
“Our expectation is to have a new Gabon that is well-governed, well-managed, where there is social justice, equity and equal chances,” mentioned registered voter Noel Kounta. “We want a developed and prosperous Gabon”.
“I would like the [next] president to focus more on jobs,” mentioned 30-year-old pharmacist Shonnys Akoulatele, who additionally mentioned she used to be underpaid in her wave career.
“The unemployment rate is so high, so they should at least show some compassion towards this issue, especially in the private sector.”
Polls are prepared to akin at 18:00 native pace (17:00 GMT) on Saturday.
