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President of the
Gabonese Republic
Flag of the President of Gabon.svg
Presidential standard
Brice Oligui Nguema in 2024 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Brice Oligui Nguema

since 30 August 2023
Executive branch of the Government of the Gabonese Republic
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)
First holder Léon M'ba
Deputy Vice President of Gabon
Salary US$65,000 annually


The president of Gabon (French: Président du Gabon) is the top leader of Gabon. This person is both the head of state and the head of government. They also lead the country's armed forces. Since the position was created in 1960, four people have officially served as president.

The current president is Brice Oligui Nguema. He took power on August 30, 2023, after a change in government. He was then elected president in the 2025 presidential election.

About the President's Job

How the President is Chosen

The president of Gabon is elected for a seven-year term. Citizens vote directly for their president. A president can be re-elected only once, meaning they can serve a maximum of two terms. This rule was brought back in the 2024 Constitution.

The election uses a two-round voting system. To win in the first round, a candidate needs more than half of all the votes. If no one gets enough votes in the first round, a second round is held two weeks later. The two candidates with the most votes from the first round compete again. The person who gets the most votes in the second round wins.

To become president, a person must meet certain requirements:

  • They must be a Gabonese citizen from birth.
  • They must only have Gabonese citizenship.
  • They must be between 35 and 70 years old.
  • They must be married to a Gabonese spouse.
  • They must have lived in Gabon for at least three years before the election.
  • They must speak at least one national language.
  • They must have full civil and political rights.
  • Doctors must confirm they are healthy enough for the job.

The president's spouse and children cannot run for president right after the president's term ends. If a candidate dies or becomes unable to run close to the election, the Constitutional Court might delay the election.

The president's term starts when they take an oath. This happens within eight working days after the election results are announced. The election must take place no later than three months before the current president's term ends.

Taking the Oath

The president officially starts their job by taking an oath. This happens in front of the Constitutional Court and Parliament. The president places their left hand on the Constitution and raises their right hand to the national flag.

The oath is a promise to serve the people of Gabon. The president promises to protect the country and its laws. They also promise to be fair to everyone.

What Happens if the President Can't Serve?

If the president is temporarily unable to do their job, the Vice-President steps in. This temporary period cannot last more than 45 days. If the president's inability continues, it becomes permanent.

If the president's position becomes empty or they are permanently unable to serve, the president of the Senate takes over. This temporary leader has most of the president's powers. However, they cannot change the Constitution or dissolve the National Assembly. This temporary leader also cannot run in the next presidential election.

When a president's position becomes empty, a new election must be held. This election happens between 30 and 120 days after the position is declared 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)      Gabonese Democratic and Social Union (UDSG)      Democratic and Republican Alliance (ADERE)      Rally of Builders (RdB)

Other groups

     Military

Status

     Means acting or temporary president

Symbols

Elected without opposition

Died while in office

No. Portrait Name
(Born–Died)
Elected Time in Office Political party Prime minister(s)
Started Ended Length of time
1 Léon M'ba 1964.jpg Léon M'ba
(1902–1967)
1961
1967
17 August 1960 28 November 1967 7 years, 103 days BDG Himself
(until 1961)

Position removed
(from 1961)
Gabonese Coat of arms.svg Revolutionary Committee
(Against Léon M'ba)
17 February 1964 18 February 1964 1 day Military None
Aubame.jpg Jean-Hilaire Aubame
(1912–1989)
(Against Léon M'ba)
18 February 1964 19 February 1964 1 day UDSG None
2 Omar Bongo 1973.jpg Omar Bongo
(1935–2009)
28 November 1967 2 December 1967 41 years, 192 days BDG
until 1968 renamed to
PDG
Position removed
(until 1975)

Mébiame
Oyé-Mba
Obame-Nguema
Ntoutoume Emane
Eyeghe Ndong
1973
1979
1986
1993
1998
2005
2 December 1967 8 June 2009
No image.png Divungi Di Ndinge
(born 1946)
6 May 2009 10 June 2009 35 days ADERE Eyeghe Ndong
No image.png Rose Francine Rogombé
(1942–2015)
10 June 2009 16 October 2009 128 days PDG Eyeghe Ndong
Biyoghé Mba
3 President Bongo Ondimba (52054341321) (cropped).jpg Ali Bongo
(born 1959)
2009
2016
2023
16 October 2009 30 August 2023
(Removed from power)
13 years, 318 days PDG Biyoghé Mba
Ndong Sima
Ona Ondo
Issoze-Ngondet
Nkoghe Bekale
Raponda
By Nze
4 Brice Oligui Nguema in 2024 (cropped).jpg Brice Oligui Nguema
(born 1975)
30 August 2023 3 May 2025 1 year, 328 days RdB Ndong Sima
2025 3 May 2025 Incumbent Position removed
(from 2025)

Timeline of Presidents

Brice Oligui Nguema Ali Bongo Rose Francine Rogombé Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge Omar Bongo Jean-Hilaire Aubame Léon M'ba

Latest Election Results

The most recent election for president was the 2025 Gabonese presidential election. Here are the results:

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

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Presidentes de Gabón para niños

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