Gabons interior minister has announced that Brice Oligui Nguema received an absolute majority of votes cast

Gabon's interim leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has been elected president with 90.35% of the vote, according to the provisional results announced by Interior Minister Hermann Immongault on Sunday.

Saturday's election is the first since Nguema led a military coup in August 2023 to overthrow his cousin, former President Ali Bongo, shortly after he was declared the winner of a disputed presidential election.

Bongo, who was accused of corruption and irresponsible governance, had been in power for 14 years after succeeding his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled for more than four decades before his death in 2009.

"Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is elected by absolute majority... with 575,222 votes," Hermann Immongault reported.

Nguema resigned from the army to pursue his presidential bid. His main opponent, former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie By Nze, received around 3% of the vote. None of the other six candidates gained more than 1%.

Turnout was reported at 70.4%, higher than the 56.65% in the disputed August 2023 election. Around 920,000 voters, including over 28,000 abroad, were registered for the election. The Interior Ministry said the results will be announced by April 16.

During his campaign, Nguema pledged to reduce the country's dependence on oil by diversifying the economy and boosting sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism.

The election was conducted under a new constitution approved in November 2024, which introduced a limit of two seven-year presidential terms. It abolished the position of prime minister and bans family members from succeeding a president. Gabon has been ruled by the Bongos for over 50 years. The previous constitution allowed for unlimited five-year terms.

The transitional period is expected to end in August 2025 following presidential, parliamentary, and local elections.

READ MORE: Gabons military ruler declares bid for presidency

The former French colony has one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Its economy relies heavily on oil, which makes up around 40% of GDP, according to IMF data.

(RT.com)