President of Gabon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Gabonese Republic
Presidential standard
Incumbent Brice Oligui Nguema (Transitional) since 30 August 2023
Executive branch of the Government of the Gabonese Republic
Residence	Presidential Palace, Libreville
Term length	7 years, renewable
Formation	17 August 1960; 64 years ago (1960-08-17)
First holder	Léon M'ba
Deputy	Vice President of Gabon
Salary	US$65,000 annually

The President of Gabon is the head of state for the country of Gabon. This important job means they are the main leader of the country. Since Gabon became independent in 1960, three people have served as president. There have also been two acting presidents who filled the role temporarily.

Currently, Brice Oligui Nguema is the transitional president. He took power on August 30, 2023, after a change in government. He replaced Ali Bongo.

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About the President's Job

How the President is Chosen

The president of Gabon is chosen by the people in an election. This election happens every five years. Citizens vote directly for their preferred candidate. The person who gets the most votes wins the election.

Originally, a president could only serve two terms. However, this rule was changed in 2003 for Omar Bongo. Now, a president can be re-elected without a term limit.

To become president, a person must be a Gabonese citizen. They need to be at least 40 years old. They also must have lived in Gabon for at least 12 months. Plus, they need to have all their civil and political rights.

The new president's term starts when they take a special oath. This happens after the election results are officially announced. The election for a new president takes place one to two months before the current president's term ends.

The President's Promise

When a new president starts their job, they take an oath. This is a special promise they make to the country. They say this promise in front of the Parliament and the Constitutional Court. They place one hand on the Constitution and raise the other hand.

The oath they take is:

I promise to devote all my energies to the good of the Gabonese people, to assure their well-being and to protect them from all misfortune, to respect and defend the Constitution and the State of law, to fulfill conscientiously the duties of my position and to be just to all.

What Happens if the President's Job is Empty?

If the president's job becomes empty for any reason, or if the president cannot do their duties, someone else steps in. The president of the Senate usually takes over temporarily. If the Senate president also cannot serve, the first vice-president of the Senate takes the role.

The person who takes over temporarily has most of the president's powers. However, they cannot run in the next presidential election. They also take the same oath as the president.

If the president's job becomes empty, a new election must be held. This election usually takes place between 30 and 60 days after the job becomes empty.

Past Presidents of Gabon

Here is a list of the people who have served as president of Gabon.

Political parties

     Gabonese Democratic Bloc (BDG) → Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG)      Democratic and Republican Alliance (ADERE)

Other groups

     Military

Status

     This means they were an acting or temporary president

Symbols

Elected unopposed

Died in office

No.	Picture	Name (Born–Died)	Elected	Time in Office			Political party	Prime minister(s)
				Started Job	Left Job	How Long They Served
1		Léon M'ba (1902–1967)	1961 1967	17 August 1960	27 November 1967	7 years, 102 days	BDG	Himself
2		Omar Bongo (1935–2009)	1973 1979 1986 1993 1998 2005	2 December 1967	8 June 2009	41 years, 188 days	BDG until 1968 renamed to PDG	Mébiame Oyé-Mba Obame-Nguema Ntoutoume Emane Eyeghe Ndong
—		Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge (born 1946)	—	6 May 2009	10 June 2009	35 days	ADERE	Eyeghe Ndong
—		Rose Francine Rogombé (1942–2015)	—	10 June 2009	16 October 2009	128 days	PDG	Eyeghe Ndong Biyoghé Mba
3		Ali Bongo (born 1959)	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
—		Brice Oligui Nguema (born 1975)	—	30 August 2023	Incumbent	1 year, 308 days	Military	Ndong Sima

Timeline of Presidents

Latest Election Results (Annulled)

The most recent presidential election in Gabon was held in 2023. However, the results of this election were later cancelled. Here are the votes that were counted before the election was annulled: