President of Gabon

Head of state and government of Gabon

President of the
Gabonese Republic

Président de la
République gabonaise

Presidential standard

Incumbent
Brice Oligui Nguema

since 30 August 2023[a]

Executive branch of the Government of the Gabonese Republic
Type|

* Head of state
* Head of government
* Commander-in-chief

Residence| Presidential Palace, Libreville
Term length| Seven years,
renewable once
Constituting instrument| Constitution of Gabon
Formation| 12 February 1961; 64 years ago (1961-02-12)[b]
First holder| Léon M'ba
Deputy| Vice President of Gabon
Salary| US$65,000 annually[1]
Website| presidence.ga

Politics of Gabon

Constitution

* Human rights

Government

* President

Brice Oligui Nguema
* Vice Presidents

Séraphin Moundounga
Alexandre Barro Chambrier

Parliament

* Senate

President: Paulette Missambo
* National Assembly

President: Jean-François Ndongou (transitional)

Administrative divisions

* Provinces
* Departments
* Cantons and communes

Elections

* Recent elections

* Presidential: 2023
* 2025

* Parliamentary: 2023
* 2025

* Political parties

Foreign relations

* Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister: Régis Onanga Ndiaye

* * *

* Diplomatic missions of / in Gabon

* * *

* Passport
* Visa requirements
* Visa policy

* Other countries

* v
* t
* e

The president of Gabon (French: Président du Gabon) is the head of state and government of Gabon. A total of four people have served as president (not counting the collective head of state, one disputed president, three acting presidents and one transitional president) since the post was formed in 1960.

The current president, Brice Oligui Nguema, took power in a coup on 30 August 2023 from Ali Bongo. He was eventually elected to the presidency in the 2025 presidential election.

## Description of the office

[edit]

### Election

[edit]

The president of the republic is elected for a presidential term of seven years, universal and direct suffrage, as per the 2024 Constitution.[2] The president is eligible for re-election once, with a maximum of two consecutive terms, regardless of constitutional revisions.[3] The 2024 Constitution reintroduced a two-term limit, replacing the unlimited re-election allowed under earlier amendments and explicitly prohibiting more than two successive mandates.[3][4]

The election is conducted via a two-round majoritarian system. The candidate who obtains an absolute majority of votes expressed in the first round is elected. If no candidate achieves this, a second round is held 14 days after the proclamation of results, between the two candidates who received the most votes in the first round. The candidate with the most votes in the second round is elected. In case of withdrawal or permanent incapacity of one of the top two candidates, the next highest-ranking candidate from the first round replaces them.[3]

Eligibility for the presidency is restricted to Gabonese citizens of either sex who:

* are born Gabonese to at least one Gabonese parent, themselves born Gabonese;

* hold exclusive Gabonese nationality (dual nationals must renounce other nationalities three years prior);

* are aged between 35 and 70 years;

* are married to a Gabonese spouse born to at least one Gabonese parent, themselves born Gabonese;

* have resided in Gabon continuously for at least three years before the election;

* can speak at least one national language;

* enjoy full civil and political rights;

* are certified to be in complete physical and mental well-being by a sworn medical panel designated by the bureaus of both parliamentary chambers.[5]

The president’s spouse and descendants are ineligible to run for the presidency immediately following the president’s term.[5] If a candidate dies or is incapacitated within the month before the first round, the Constitutional Court may postpone the election, but not beyond the incumbent president’s term end.[5]

The Constitutional Court may extend election timelines, but the election must occur no later than the expiration of the incumbent president’s mandate.[6] If the election is delayed beyond the current president’s term, the president remains in office until their successor is elected.[6] The modalities for these provisions are set by organic law.[6]

The presidential term begins on the day of the presidential oath, within eight working days after the Constitutional Court proclaimed the results, and ends after the seventh year.[6] The election must take place no later than three months before the end of the incumbent president’s term.[6] The incumbent president may not shorten their term to seek another mandate.[6]

If the incumbent president runs for re-election, they cannot legislate by ordinance from the announcement of their candidacy until the election, and the National Assembly may not be dissolved. In cases of necessity, Parliament may convene in an extraordinary session.[6]

### Oath of office

[edit]

The presidential oath marks the beginning of the presidential term and must occur after the Constitutional Court proclaims the official election results, within eight working days if no disputes arise, or within 15 days if contested.[6] The president solemnly takes the following oath before the Constitutional Court and Parliament, with the left hand on the Constitution and the right hand raised before the national flag:[7]

> I, [name], elected President of the Republic, pledge before God, our Ancestors, and the Gabonese people to devote all my energies to their well-being, to protect them from all harm, to faithfully respect and defend the Constitution and the rule of law, to preserve democratic achievements, the independence of the homeland, the integrity of the national territory, and to conscientiously fulfill the duties of my office and be just to all. I so swear.

### Vacancy

[edit]

In case of a temporary incapacity of the president, as certified by the Constitutional Court upon referral by the presidents of both parliamentary chambers or the Vice-President of the Government, the Vice-President of the Republic temporarily assumes presidential duties, excluding certain powers (e.g., constitutional amendments, dissolution of the National Assembly, or referendum initiation). Temporary incapacity cannot exceed forty-five days, after which it becomes permanent.[8] In case of a vacancy or permanent incapacity of the president, as certified by the Constitutional Court upon referral by the National Assembly bureau (by a two-thirds majority) or the Vice-President of the Government (after a simple majority vote in the Council of Ministers), the president of the Senate temporarily assumes presidential duties. If the Senate president is incapacitated, the first vice-president of the Senate takes over. The interim president exercises full presidential powers, except for specific powers (e.g., constitutional amendments or dissolution), and is ineligible to run in the subsequent presidential election.[8] The interim president must take the following oath before the Constitutional Court and Parliament, with the left hand on the Constitution and the right hand raised before the national flag:[8]

> I swear to devote all my energies to the good of the Gabonese people, to ensure their well-being and protect them from all harm, to respect and defend the Constitution and the rule of law, to conscientiously fulfill the duties of my office, and to be just to all.

In cases of vacancy or permanent incapacity, the election for a new president must occur between 30 and 120 days after the vacancy or incapacity is declared, unless the Constitutional Court cites force majeure.[8] The modalities are set by organic law.[8]

## List of officeholders

[edit]

Political parties

Gabonese Democratic Bloc (BDG) → Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG)

Gabonese Democratic and Social Union (UDSG)

Democratic and Republican Alliance (ADERE)

Democratic Union of Builders (UDB)

Other factions

Military

Status

Denotes acting or transitional president

Symbols

§ Elected unopposed

† Died in office

No. | Portrait  | Name
(Birth–Death) | Elected  | Term of office  | Political party  | Prime minister(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

Took office  | Left office  | Time in office
1  |  | Léon M'ba
(1902–1967)[c] | 1961[§]
1967[§] | 17 August 1960  | 28 November 1967[†] | 7 years, 103 days  | BDG | Himself
(until 1961)

* * *

Post abolished
(from 1961)
—  |  | Revolutionary Committee[d]
(In opposition to Léon M'ba) | —  | 17 February 1964  | 18 February 1964  | 1 day  | Military | None
—  |  | Jean-Hilaire Aubame
(1912–1989)[e]
(In opposition to Léon M'ba) | —  | 18 February 1964  | 19 February 1964  | 1 day  | UDSG | None
2  |  | Omar Bongo
(1935–2009)[f] | —  | 28 November 1967  | 2 December 1967  | 41 years, 192 days  | BDG
until 1968 renamed to
PDG | Post abolished
(until 1975)

* * *

Mébiame
Oyé-Mba
Obame-Nguema
Ntoutoume Emane
Eyeghe Ndong
1973[§]
1979[§]
1986[§]
1993
1998
2005 | 2 December 1967  | 8 June 2009[g][†]
—  |  | Divungi Di Ndinge
(born 1946)[h] | —  | 6 May 2009  | 10 June 2009  | 35 days  | ADERE | Eyeghe Ndong
—  |  | Rose Francine Rogombé
(1942–2015)[i] | —  | 10 June 2009  | 16 October 2009  | 128 days  | PDG | Eyeghe Ndong
Biyoghé Mba
3  |  | Ali Bongo
(born 1959)[j][k] | 2009
2016
2023 | 16 October 2009  | 30 August 2023
(Deposed in a coup) | 13 years, 318 days  | PDG | Biyoghé Mba
Ndong Sima
Ona Ondo
Issoze-Ngondet
Nkoghe Bekale
Raponda
By Nze
4  |  | Brice Oligui Nguema
(born 1975)[a] | —  | 30 August 2023[11][12] | 3 May 2025  | 1 year, 350 days  | UDB[l] | Ndong Sima
2025 | 3 May 2025  | Incumbent  | Post abolished
(from 2025)

## Timeline

[edit]

## Latest election

[edit]

Main article: 2025 Gabonese presidential election

Candidate| Party| Votes| %

|
|
|

| Brice Oligui Nguema| Independent (Rally of Builders)| 588,074| 94.85
| Alain Claude Bilie By Nze| Ensemble pour le Gabon| 19,265| 3.11
| Joseph Lapensée Essigone| Independent| 3,744| 0.60
| Gninga Chaning Zenaba [fr]| Independent| 2,419| 0.39
| Alain Simplice Gombré| Gabonese Patriotic Party| 2,299| 0.37
| Stéphane Germain Iloko| Large Rassemblement Arc-en-ciel| 2,214| 0.36
| Axel Stophène Ibinga Ibinga| Independent| 1,384| 0.22
| Thierry Yvon Michel N'Goma| Independent| 601| 0.10
Total| 620,000| 100.00
Valid votes| 620,000| 96.48
Invalid/blank votes| 22,632| 3.52
Total votes| 642,632| 100.00
Registered voters/turnout| 916,625| 70.11
Source: CC

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b As Chairman of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions from 30 August 2023 until 2 May 2025 and as Transitional President de facto from 30 August 2023 and de jure from 4 September 2023 until 3 May 2025.
2. ^ The office was already established in July 1958 as President of the Executive Council, while Gabon was part of the French Union/French Community. From 17 August 1960 until 12 February 1961 the Prime Minister was also the head of state.
3. ^ Briefly interrupted during the 17–18 February 1964 coup d'état.
4. ^ Members: Daniel Mbene, Jean-Valaire Essone, Jacques Mombo and Daniel Mbo Edou.
5. ^ Head/Chief of the Provisional Government. Other members were: Philippe N'dong, editor of Gabon's literary review Réalités Gabonaises; Dr. Eloi Chambrier, Gabon's only physician; Philippe Mory, a famous Gabonese actor; and civil servant Paul Gondjout.
6. ^ Previously named Albert-Bernard Bongo; changed name on 29 September 1973, after conversion to Islam. Added Ondimba to the name on 15 November 2003.
7. ^ The duties were suspended from 6 May 2009 until 8 June 2009.
8. ^ Acted for Bongo during his incapacitation in the hospital, Vice President.
9. ^ Succeeded Bongo as the constitutional successor, President of the Senate.
10. ^ Son of Omar Bongo. Born as Alain-Bernard Bongo.
11. ^ Vice President Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou (PSD) acted for Bongo during his illness, from 15 November 2018 until 25 February 2019.[9][10]
12. ^ Military (CTRI) until 4 March 2025[13][14] / Independent until 23 June 2025.

## See also

[edit]

* First Lady of Gabon
* Vice President of Gabon
* Prime Minister of Gabon
* List of colonial governors of Gabon
* Politics of Gabon

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Top 15 Highest Paid African Presidents 2017". 15 December 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
2. ^ "Journal Officiel N°47 bis du 19 Décembre 2024". journal-officiel.ga. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
3. ^ a b c Article 42 of the Constitution of 2024.
4. ^ Article 169 of the Constitution of 2024.
5. ^ a b c Article 43 of the Constitution of 2024.
6. ^ a b c d e f g h Article 44 of the Constitution of 2024.
7. ^ Article 45 of the Constitution of 2024.
8. ^ a b c d e Article 46 of the Constitution of 2024.
9. ^ Kusov, Vitaly. "Али Бонго Ондимба, президент Габона: биография и правление".
10. ^ "Gabon amends constitution for ill president". The EastAfrican. 22 August 2020.
11. ^ "Gabon coup: Army seizes power from Ali Bongo and puts him in house arrest". bbc.com. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
12. ^ "General Nguema appointed transitional president of Gabon following coup". Anadolu Agency. Kigali, Rwanda. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
13. ^ Yates, Douglas (10 April 2025). "Gabon elections: why a landmark vote won't bring real change". The Conversation.
14. ^ "Gabon election: Junta leader Nguema declares bid for presidency". www.bbc.com. 4 March 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website (in French)
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* 1991 Constitution of Gabon (as amended in 2011) (in English)

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Presidential standard of Gabon

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