Gabon's Council of Ministers has announced that the country will hold presidential elections on April 12, 2025, marking the end of military rule that began after a coup in 2023. The election will bring an end to more than 50 years of Bongo family rule, which was ousted from power following the coup.

The coup, which took place on August 30, 2023, saw Ali Bongo, who had been in power since 2009, succeeding his father Omar Bongo, who led the country for 41 years, being ousted from power. The transition to civilian rule has been a subject of concern for Western powers and regional organizations, with Gabon being one of eight countries in West and Central Africa to experience a coup since 2020.

According to minutes from a ministerial cabinet meeting reported by Reuters, the electoral college will be convened on Saturday, April 12, 2025. However, concerns remain about the fairness of the election process, as an exception has been made for interim President General Brice Oligui Nguema to run for president, despite transitional leaders not being supposed to run for the office.

Last year, Gabon held a referendum to adopt a new constitution ahead of the upcoming election. The proposed changes included a two-term limit for the presidency, with each term lasting seven years. Nguema has framed the constitutional referendum as a key milestone in the country's democratic transition, encouraging citizens to vote and praising the process as transparent after voting in the capital, Libreville.

The development raises questions about the country's transition to civilian rule and the role of the military in the political process. As Gabon prepares for its presidential election, the international community will be watching closely to ensure a free and fair process that reflects the will of the Gabonese people.

The election also has implications for the region, with West and Central Africa experiencing a surge in coups in recent years. The ability of Gabon to transition to civilian rule peacefully will be seen as a test case for the region, and could have far-reaching implications for democracy and stability in the area.

As the election approaches, all eyes will be on Gabon to see if it can navigate the challenges of its transition to civilian rule and emerge as a beacon of democracy in the region.