There have been three presidents of Gabon since its independence in 1960, excluding two acting presidents. Omar Bongo, in power from 1967 to 2009, was the longest-serving leader, followed by his son,
Ali Bongo, who ruled until 2023. Brice Oligui Nguema became Gabon’s transitional president after a military coup on August 30, 2023. Under the 2023 constitutional amendments, the presidential term is five years, with no term limits.
Candidates must be at least 40 years old and meet residency and legal requirements. In case of a vacancy, the Senate President temporarily assumes office until new elections are held.
Complete List Of Gabon Presidents From 1960 Till Date
No. | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Léon M'ba | 17 August 1960 | 27 November 1967 | BDG |
2 | Omar Bongo | 2 December 1967 | 8 June 2009 | BDG (renamed to PDG) |
— | Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge | 6 May 2009 | 10 June 2009 | ADERE |
— | Rose Francine Rogombé | 10 June 2009 | 16 October 2009 | PDG |
3 | Ali Bongo | 16 October 2009 | 30 August 2023 | PDG |
— | Brice Oligui Nguema | 30 August 2023 | Incumbent | Military |
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Who Was The First President Of Gabon?
Gabriel Léon M’ba, born on February 9, 1902, in Libreville, was the first President of Gabon. He played a big part in leading the country to independence. M’ba grew up in the Fang ethnic group, one of the main groups in Gabon.
His parents were educated for their time, his father managed a small business and served as a village chief, while his mother was a seamstress. He had his early education from Catholic missionaries.
M’ba started his career working different jobs, like managing stores and serving as a customs agent for the French colonial government. However, he was elected to the Territorial Assembly in 1952.
By 1956, he became the mayor of Libreville and was later appointed vice-president of the Gabon Executive Council in 1957. These roles made him one of the most influential native leaders during French colonial rule.
In 1959, he became Prime Minister as Gabon prepared for independence. When Gabon gained its freedom on August 17, 1960, M’ba was elected as its first president. His presidency officially began on February 12, 1961.
M’ba led with a strong hand, favoring a close relationship with France. In 1964, he established a one-party state, which caused unrest and led to a brief coup. However, French military forces restored him to power.
M’ba faced criticism for his authoritarian rule, but he stressed national unity. Despite health issues, he was reelected in 1967 but passed away later that year on November 28 in Paris.
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Who Is The Transitional President Of Gabon?
The current transitional president of Gabon is General Brice Oligui Nguema. He became president after a military coup on August 30, 2023, which removed President Ali Bongo Ondimba from power.
Nguema was sworn in as transitional president on September 4, 2023, and has since led the country through a period of political change. Before becoming president, Nguema was the head of the Gabonese Republican Guard and worked closely with the Bongo family.
He was once a bodyguard for Omar Bongo, Ali Bongo’s father, who was also a long-serving president. The coup that brought Nguema to power happened after a controversial presidential election, in which Ali Bongo was declared to have won.
Many people in Gabon were unhappy with Bongo’s government, accusing it of corruption and electoral fraud. The coup was bloodless and widely supported by the public, as well as by some politicians and civil groups who wanted change.
After taking power, Nguema promised to return the country to civilian rule. He announced plans for a national dialogue in April 2024, where people would discuss how to improve governance and prepare for democratic elections.
Gabon is set to hold its next presidential election on March 22, 2025, and Nguema has expressed interest in running, even though he previously promised to step aside after the transition.
One of Nguema’s major tasks as transitional president is creating a new constitution. His proposals include setting presidential term limits and eliminating the role of prime minister.
The new constitution suggests a seven-year presidential term, which could be renewed once. These reforms prevent long-term dynastic rule, like that of the Bongo family. A referendum on the constitution took place in late 2024 to gather public support for these changes.
Although many Gabonese initially supported Nguema, some are now concerned about the fairness of his government. Critics fear that the national dialogue might not fully represent all political groups and could be designed to keep Nguema in power.
