Sworn-In President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema Pledges Unity and Reform in Gabon

 On May 3, Gabon witnessed a significant moment as newly elected President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema took the oath of office during an inauguration ceremony at the Stade d'Angondjé in Libreville, reports Gabon Media Time. Standing before a crowd of approximately 40,000 people—including leaders from Rwanda, Djibouti, Senegal, the Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, Chad, Gambia, Burundi, and Ghana—Nguema swore to dedicate himself fully to the welfare of the Gabonese people, protect the nation, uphold the constitution and rule of law, maintain democratic achievements, and ensure the integrity and independence of Gabon.

Nguema declared, "I, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, elected President of the Republic, swear before God, our ancestors, and the people of Gabon to devote all my strength to the nation's well-being, shield it from harm, faithfully uphold and defend the Constitution and rule of law, preserve democratic gains, safeguard the country's independence and territorial unity, conscientiously fulfill my duties, and treat all citizens with fairness."

The international community has taken note of Nguema's inauguration. Alexander Lukashenko, the President of Belarus, congratulated Nguema on his victory and stated that Minsk is ready to share its expertise to help Gabon strengthen food security and spark sustainable development.

Nguema's swearing-in comes after Gabon's presidential election on April 12, 2025, which marked the nation's return to constitutional governance after a period of military-led transition. As the incumbent leader of the transitional government, Nguema secured a decisive victory with 94.85% of the vote. Following the announcement of the preliminary results, he expressed gratitude to the Gabonese people for their trust and support.

Nguema first came to power in August 2023 after a military coup ousted Ali Bongo, whose recent re-election was deemed illegitimate by the armed forces. Since then, Gabon has undergone major political reforms, including a historic nationwide referendum in November 2024, when citizens voted in favor of a new constitution to replace the charter that had been in place since 1991.

Looking forward, President Nguema faces the challenge of uniting a diverse society, addressing economic development, and ensuring true democratic transformation after years of political upheaval. The ceremony marks a turning point for Gabon, as it strives to forge a more stable and prosperous future under new leadership.