GABON’S election commission has announced the validation of 19 candidates, including the current President Ali Bongo and several former ministers, for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for next month.
Despite opposition claims that he is unfit for the presidency, Ali Bongo’s candidacy has been approved. In October 2018, he suffered a stroke and was subsequently flown to Morocco for medical treatment, which led to questions about his ability to continue as head of state.
Michel Stephane Bonda, the president of the Gabonese Elections Centre, confirmed the candidate list on Sunday, revealing that the commission received 27 applications for filing nomination papers, and out of those, 19 were approved.
President Ali Bongo assumed office after a contentious 2009 election following the passing of his father, Omar Bongo. He won re-election in 2016, both times facing opposition disputes claiming fraudulent victories.
Now, Ali Bongo is seeking a third term in the upcoming election after ruling the country for nearly 14 years. It is noteworthy that Gabon has no constitutional term limits.
Among the candidates vying for the presidency, former Mines Minister Alexandre Barro Chambrier is seen as President Bongo’s main challenger. This Paris-born economist is participating in the presidential race for the first time.
Other contenders include Pierre-Claver Maganga Moussavou, the founder and president of the Social Democratic Party, and Raymond Ndong Sima, a former prime minister.
The campaign for the presidential election is set to begin on August 11, leading up to the voting day on August 26. As the country prepares for this crucial election, attention remains on President Ali Bongo’s candidacy and the opposition’s disputes regarding his eligibility due to his past health issues.
