REFILE: PROFILE: Gabon's former PM Nze returns as presidential contender

Record ID: 1987692

  • Title: REFILE: PROFILE: Gabon's former PM Nze returns as presidential contender
  • Date: 2nd April 2025
  • Summary: Over the following years, Nze continued to serve as a key spokesperson for the Bongo government, handling various policy matters and government announcements. LIBREVILLE, GABON (FILE - FEBRUARY 27, 2018) (REUTERS) NZE AT NEWS CONFERENCE WITH JOURNALISTS JOURNALISTS WRITING (SOUNDBITE) (French) THEN-GABON COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER AND PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESPERSON, ALAIN CLAUDE B
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Africa Bongo Coups Economy Election Gabon Policics President central
  • Location: LIBREVILLE, GABON
  • City: LIBREVILLE, GABON
  • Country: Gabon
  • Topics: Africa,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA003309931032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Ousted in the coup that toppled a half-century-old political dynasty, Gabon's former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze is back as the top challenger in this month's presidential contest.
    Known to Gabonese as "Bilie", Nze, 57, will face off against the leader of the putsch, Brice Oligui Nguema, who has been relatively quick to facilitate elections compared to other military leaders in the coup-prone region.
    Nze was appointed in 2012 as an advisor to President Ali Bongo, who served as president for nearly 14 years. Bongo had taken over in 2009 after the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who lasted more than four decades in the top job.
    Several ministerial roles followed before Nze was appointed to his last and most senior position in January 2023. At the end of August that year, military officers led by Nguema seized power.
    The coup took place amid waning support for Ali Bongo, whose critics said he and his father failed to fairly distribute the Central African nation's oil wealth, leaving a third of its 2.3 million people living in poverty. They also questioned Bongo's fitness to govern after a stroke in 2018.
    But while many people welcomed the coup, Nze has sided with opponents who fear the upcoming vote is merely a means for Nguema to cement his hold on power.
    (Production: Ngouda Dione)
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