View source for President of Gabon

{{Short description|Head of state and government of Gabon}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                    = President
| body                    = the<br/>Gabonese Republic
| native_name             = ''{{lang|fr|Président de la<br>République gabonaise}}''
| insignia                = 
| insigniasize            = 
| insigniacaption         = 
| flag                    = Flag of the President of Gabon.svg
| flagsize                = 125px
| flagborder              = yes
| flagcaption             = Presidential standard
| image                   = Brice Oligui Nguema in 2024 (cropped).jpg
| imagesize               = 165px
| alt                     = 
| incumbent               = [[Brice Oligui Nguema]]
| acting                  = no
| incumbentsince          = 30 August 2023{{efn|name=Oligui|As Chairman of the [[Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions]] from 30 August 2023 until 2 May 2025 and as [[Provisional government|Transitional President]] ''de facto'' from 30 August 2023 and ''de jure'' from 4 September 2023 until 3 May 2025.}}
| department              = [[Politics of Gabon#Executive branch|Executive branch of the Government of the Gabonese Republic]]
| style                   = 
| type                    = {{ubl|[[Head of state]]|[[Head of government]]|[[Commander-in-chief]]}}
| status                  = 
| abbreviation            = 
| member_of               = 
| reports_to              = 
| residence               = [[Palais du bord de mer|Presidential Palace]], [[Libreville]]
| seat                    = 
| nominator               = 
| appointer               = 
| appointer_qualified     = 
| termlength              = Seven years,
| termlength_qualified    = renewable once
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Gabon]]
| precursor               = 
| formation               = {{start date and age|1961|2|12|df=y}}{{efn|The office was already established in July 1958 as President of the Executive Council, while Gabon was part of the [[French Union]]/[[French Community]]. From 17 August 1960 until 12 February 1961 the Prime Minister was also the head of state.}}
| first                   = [[Léon M'ba]]
| last                    = 
| abolished               = 
| succession              = 
| unofficial_names        = 
| deputy                  = [[Vice President of Gabon]]
| salary                  = US$65,000 annually<ref name="africaranking.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.africaranking.com/highest-paid-african-presidents/|title=Top 15 Highest Paid African Presidents 2017|date=15 December 2016|access-date=14 November 2019|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922143225/http://www.africaranking.com/highest-paid-african-presidents/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| website                 = {{URL|https://presidence.ga/}}
}}
{{Politics of Gabon}}

The '''president of Gabon''' ({{langx|fr|Président du Gabon}}) is the [[head of state]] and [[Head of government|government]] of [[Gabon]]. A total of four people have served as president (not counting the collective head of state, one disputed president, three acting presidents and one transitional president) since the post was formed in 1960.

The current president, [[Brice Oligui Nguema]], took power in a [[2023 Gabonese coup d'état|coup on 30 August 2023]] from [[Ali Bongo]]. He was eventually elected to the presidency in the [[2025 Gabonese presidential election|2025 presidential election]].

==Description of the office==

===Election===
The president of the republic is elected for a presidential term of seven years, [[universal suffrage|universal]] and [[direct election|direct suffrage]], as per the 2024 [[Constitution of Gabon|Constitution]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journal Officiel N°47 bis du 19 Décembre 2024 |url=https://journal-officiel.ga/21489-002-r-2024-/ |access-date=2025-06-01 |website=journal-officiel.ga}}</ref> The president is eligible for re-election once, with a maximum of two consecutive terms, regardless of constitutional revisions.<ref name="Art42">Article 42 of the Constitution of 2024.</ref> The 2024 Constitution reintroduced a two-term limit, replacing the unlimited re-election allowed under earlier amendments and explicitly prohibiting more than two successive mandates.<ref name="Art42" /><ref name="Art169">Article 169 of the Constitution of 2024.</ref>

The election is conducted via a [[two-round system|two-round majoritarian system]]. The candidate who obtains an absolute majority of votes expressed in the first round is elected. If no candidate achieves this, a second round is held 14 days after the proclamation of results, between the two candidates who received the most votes in the first round. The candidate with the most votes in the second round is elected. In case of withdrawal or permanent incapacity of one of the top two candidates, the next highest-ranking candidate from the first round replaces them.<ref name="Art42" />

Eligibility for the presidency is restricted to [[Gabonese nationality law|Gabonese citizens]] of either sex who:

*are born Gabonese to at least one Gabonese parent, themselves born Gabonese;

*hold exclusive Gabonese nationality (dual nationals must renounce other nationalities three years prior);

*are aged between 35 and 70 years;

*are married to a Gabonese spouse born to at least one Gabonese parent, themselves born Gabonese;

*have resided in Gabon continuously for at least three years before the election;

*can speak at least one  [[Languages of Gabon|national language]];

*enjoy full civil and political rights;

*are certified to be in complete physical and mental well-being by a sworn medical panel designated by the bureaus of both parliamentary chambers.<ref name="Art43">Article 43 of the Constitution of 2024.</ref>

The president’s spouse and descendants are ineligible to run for the presidency immediately following the president’s term.<ref name="Art43" /> If a candidate dies or is incapacitated within the month before the first round, the [[Constitutional Court of Gabon|Constitutional Court]] may postpone the election, but not beyond the incumbent president’s term end.<ref name="Art43" />

The Constitutional Court may extend election timelines, but the election must occur no later than the expiration of the incumbent president’s mandate.<ref name="Art44">Article 44 of the Constitution of 2024.</ref> If the election is delayed beyond the current president’s term, the president remains in office until their successor is elected.<ref name="Art44" /> The modalities for these provisions are set by organic law.<ref name="Art44" />

The presidential term begins on the day of the presidential oath, within eight working days after the Constitutional Court proclaimed the results, and ends after the seventh year.<ref name="Art44" /> The election must take place no later than three months before the end of the incumbent president’s term.<ref name="Art44" /> The incumbent president may not shorten their term to seek another mandate.<ref name="Art44" />

If the incumbent president runs for re-election, they cannot legislate by ordinance from the announcement of their candidacy until the election, and the [[National Assembly of Gabon|National Assembly]]  may not be dissolved. In cases of necessity, [[Parliament of Gabon|Parliament]] may convene in an extraordinary session.<ref name="Art44" />

===Oath of office===
The presidential oath marks the beginning of the presidential term and must occur after the Constitutional Court proclaims the official election results, within eight working days if no disputes arise, or within 15 days if contested.<ref name="Art44" /> The president solemnly takes the following oath before the Constitutional Court and Parliament, with the left hand on the Constitution and the right hand raised before the [[Flag of Gabon|national flag]]:<ref name="Art45">Article 45 of the Constitution of 2024.</ref>
{{blockquote|I, [name], elected President of the Republic, pledge before God, our Ancestors, and the Gabonese people to devote all my energies to their well-being, to protect them from all harm, to faithfully respect and defend the Constitution and the rule of law, to preserve democratic achievements, the independence of the homeland, the integrity of the national territory, and to conscientiously fulfill the duties of my office and be just to all. I so swear.}}

===Vacancy===
In case of a temporary incapacity of the president, as certified by the Constitutional Court upon referral by the presidents of both parliamentary chambers or the Vice-President of the Government, the  [[Vice-President of Gabon|Vice-President of the Republic]]  temporarily assumes presidential duties, excluding certain powers (e.g., constitutional amendments, dissolution of the National Assembly, or referendum initiation). Temporary incapacity cannot exceed forty-five days, after which it becomes permanent.<ref name="Art46">Article 46 of the Constitution of 2024.</ref> In case of a vacancy or permanent incapacity of the president, as certified by the Constitutional Court upon referral by the National Assembly bureau (by a two-thirds majority) or the Vice-President of the Government (after a simple majority vote in the Council of Ministers), the president of the [[Senate of Gabon|Senate]] temporarily assumes presidential duties. If the Senate president is incapacitated, the first vice-president of the Senate takes over. The interim president exercises full presidential powers, except for specific powers (e.g., constitutional amendments or dissolution), and is ineligible to run in the subsequent presidential election.<ref name="Art46" /> The interim president must take the following oath before the Constitutional Court and Parliament, with the left hand on the Constitution and the right hand raised before the national flag:<ref name="Art46" />
{{blockquote|I swear to devote all my energies to the good of the Gabonese people, to ensure their well-being and protect them from all harm, to respect and defend the Constitution and the rule of law, to conscientiously fulfill the duties of my office, and to be just to all.}}
In cases of vacancy or permanent incapacity, the election for a new president must occur between 30 and 120 days after the vacancy or incapacity is declared, unless the Constitutional Court cites [[force majeure]].<ref name="Art46" /> The modalities are set by organic law.<ref name="Art46" />

==List of officeholders==
;Political parties
{{legend|{{party color|Gabonese Democratic Party}}|[[Gabonese Democratic Party|Gabonese Democratic Bloc (BDG) → Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG)]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend|{{party color|Gabonese Democratic and Social Union}}|[[Gabonese Democratic and Social Union]] (UDSG)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend|{{party color|Democratic and Republican Alliance}}|[[Democratic and Republican Alliance]] (ADERE)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{legend|{{party color|Democratic Union of Builders}}|[[Democratic Union of Builders]] (UDB)|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

;Other factions
{{legend|{{party color|Military rule}}|[[Armed Forces of Gabon|Military]]|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

;Status
{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes acting or transitional president}}

;Symbols
{{note label|§|§|§}} Elected unopposed

{{note label|†|†|†}} Died in office

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
! rowspan="2" |Portrait
! rowspan="2" |Name<br />{{small|(Birth–Death)}}
! rowspan="2" |Elected
! colspan="3" |Term of office
! rowspan="2" |Political party
! rowspan="2" |[[Prime Minister of Gabon|Prime minister(s)]]
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Gabonese Democratic Party}}; color:white;" | 1
| [[File:Léon M'ba 1964.jpg|90px]]
| [[Léon M'ba]]<br />{{small|(1902–1967)}}{{efn|Briefly interrupted during the [[1964 Gabonese coup d'état|17–18 February 1964 coup d'état]].}}
| {{Text|[[1961 Gabonese general election|1961]]{{ref label|§|§|§}}}}<br />{{Text|[[1967 Gabonese general election|1967]]{{ref label|§|§|§}}}}
| {{nowrap|17 August}} 1960
| {{nowrap|28 November}} 1967{{ref label|†|†|†}}
| {{ayd|1960|08|17|1967|11|28}}
| [[Gabonese Democratic Party|BDG]]
| ''Himself<br />{{small|(until 1961)}}''<hr />''Post abolished<br />{{small|(from 1961)}}''
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Military rule}}; color:black;" | —
| [[File:Gabonese Coat of arms.svg|90px]]
| [[Revolutionary Committee of Gabon|Revolutionary Committee]]{{efn|Members: [[Daniel Mbene]], [[Jean-Valaire Essone]], [[Jacques Mombo]] and [[Daniel Mbo Edou]].}}<br >{{small|(In opposition to [[Léon M'ba]])}}
| —
| 17 February 1964
| 18 February 1964
| {{ayd|1964|2|17|1964|2|18}}
| [[Armed Forces of Gabon|Military]]
| ''None''
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Gabonese Democratic and Social Union}}; color:white;" | —
| [[File:Aubame.jpg|90px]]
| [[Jean-Hilaire Aubame]]<br />{{small|(1912–1989)}}{{efn|Head/Chief of the Provisional Government. Other members were: [[Philippe N'dong]], editor of Gabon's literary review Réalités Gabonaises; Dr. [[Eloi Chambrier]], Gabon's only physician; [[Philippe Mory]], a famous Gabonese actor; and civil servant [[Paul Gondjout]].}}<br >{{small|(In opposition to  [[Léon M'ba]])}}
| —
| 18 February 1964
| 19 February 1964
| {{ayd|1964|2|18|1964|2|19}}
| [[Gabonese Democratic and Social Union|UDSG]]
| ''None''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Gabonese Democratic Party}}; color:white;" | 2
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Omar Bongo 1973.jpg|90px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Omar Bongo]]<br>{{small|(1935–[[Death and state funeral of Omar Bongo|2009]])}}{{efn|Previously named Albert-Bernard Bongo; changed name on 29 September 1973, after [[conversion to Islam]]. Added Ondimba to the name on 15 November 2003.}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;" | —
| style="background:#e6e6aa;" | {{nowrap|28 November}} 1967
| style="background:#e6e6aa;" | {{nowrap|2 December}} 1967
| rowspan="2" | {{ayd|1967|11|28|2009|06|08}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Gabonese Democratic Party|BDG]]<br />{{small|until 1968 renamed to}}<br />[[Gabonese Democratic Party|PDG]]
| rowspan="2" | ''Post abolished<br />{{small|(until 1975)}}''<hr />[[Léon Mébiame|Mébiame]]<br />[[Casimir Oyé-Mba|Oyé-Mba]]<br />[[Paulin Obame-Nguema|Obame-Nguema]]<br />[[Jean-François Ntoutoume Emane|Ntoutoume Emane]]<br />[[Jean Eyeghé Ndong|Eyeghe Ndong]]
|-
| {{Text|[[1973 Gabonese general election|1973]]{{ref label|§|§|§}}}}<br />{{Text|[[1979 Gabonese presidential election|1979]]{{ref label|§|§|§}}}}<br />{{Text|[[1986 Gabonese presidential election|1986]]{{ref label|§|§|§}}}}<br />[[1993 Gabonese presidential election|1993]]<br />[[1998 Gabonese presidential election|1998]]<br />[[2005 Gabonese presidential election|2005]]
| {{nowrap|2 December}} 1967
| {{nowrap|8 June}} 2009{{efn|The duties were suspended from 6 May 2009 until 8 June 2009.}}{{ref label|†|†|†}}
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| style="background:{{party color|Democratic and Republican Alliance}}; color:white;" | —
| [[File:No image.png|90px]]
| [[Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge]]<br />{{small|(born 1946)}}{{efn|Acted for Bongo during his incapacitation in the hospital, [[Vice President of Gabon|Vice President]].}}
| —
| {{nowrap|6 May}} 2009
| {{nowrap|10 June}} 2009
| {{ayd|2009|05|06|2009|06|10}}
| [[Democratic and Republican Alliance|ADERE]]
| Eyeghe Ndong
|-style="background:#e6e6aa;"
| style="background:{{party color|Gabonese Democratic Party}}; color:white;" | —
| [[File:No image.png|90px]]
| [[Rose Francine Rogombé]]<br />{{small|(1942–2015)}}{{efn|Succeeded Bongo as the constitutional successor, [[List of presidents of the Senate of Gabon|President of the Senate]].}}
| —
| {{nowrap|10 June}} 2009
| {{nowrap|16 October}} 2009
| {{ayd|2009|06|10|2009|10|16}}
| [[Gabonese Democratic Party|PDG]]
| Eyeghe Ndong<br />[[Paul Biyoghé Mba|Biyoghé Mba]]
|-
! style="background:{{party color|Gabonese Democratic Party}}; color:white;" | 3
| [[File:President Bongo Ondimba (52054341321) (cropped).jpg|90px]]
| [[Ali Bongo]]<br />{{small|(born 1959)}}{{efn|Son of Omar Bongo. Born as Alain-Bernard Bongo.}}{{efn|Vice President [[Pierre Claver Maganga Moussavou]] ([[Social Democratic Party (Gabon)|PSD]]) acted for Bongo during his illness, from 15 November 2018 until 25 February 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://africanrulers.ru/main/biographies/gabon_bongo_a/|title=Али Бонго Ондимба, президент Габона: биография и правление|first=Vitaly|last=Kusov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/west-africa/gabon-amends-constitution-for-ill-president-1406678|title=Gabon amends constitution for ill president|date=22 August 2020|website=The EastAfrican}}</ref>}}
| [[2009 Gabonese presidential election|2009]]<br />[[2016 Gabonese presidential election|2016]]<br />[[2023 Gabonese general election|2023]]
| {{nowrap|16 October}} 2009
| {{nowrap|30 August}} 2023<br />{{small|([[2023 Gabonese coup d'état|Deposed in a coup]])}}
| {{ayd|2009|10|16|2023|08|30}}
| [[Gabonese Democratic Party|PDG]]
| Biyoghé Mba<br />[[Raymond Ndong Sima|Ndong Sima]]<br />[[Daniel Ona Ondo|Ona Ondo]]<br />[[Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet|Issoze-Ngondet]]<br />[[Julien Nkoghe Bekale|Nkoghe Bekale]]<br />[[Rose Christiane Raponda|Raponda]]<br />[[Alain Claude Bilie By Nze|By Nze]]
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Union of Builders}}; color:white;" | 4
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Brice Oligui Nguema in 2024 (cropped).jpg|90px]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Brice Oligui Nguema]]<br />{{small|(born 1975)}}{{efn|name=Oligui}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;" | —
| style="background:#e6e6aa;" | {{nowrap|30 August}} 2023<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-66654965 |title=Gabon coup: Army seizes power from Ali Bongo and puts him in house arrest |date=30 August 2023 |work=bbc.com |access-date=30 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=General Nguema appointed transitional president of Gabon following coup |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/general-nguema-appointed-transitional-president-of-gabon-following-coup/2979600 |access-date=31 August 2023 |work=[[Anadolu Agency]] |date=30 August 2023 |location=[[Kigali, Rwanda]]}}</ref>
| style="background:#e6e6aa;" | {{nowrap|3 May}} 2025
| rowspan="2" | {{ayd|2023|08|30}}
| rowspan="2" | [[Democratic Union of Builders|UDB]]{{efn|[[Armed Forces of Gabon|Military]] ([[Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions|CTRI]]) until 4 March 2025<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://theconversation.com/gabon-elections-why-a-landmark-vote-wont-bring-real-change-253902|title=Gabon elections: why a landmark vote won't bring real change|first=Douglas|last=Yates|date=10 April 2025|website=The Conversation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy87g9xnjdpo|title=Gabon election: Junta leader Nguema declares bid for presidency|date=4 March 2025|website=www.bbc.com}}</ref> / [[Independent politician|Independent]] until 23 June 2025.}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;" | Ndong Sima
|-
| [[2025 Gabonese presidential election|2025]]
| {{nowrap|3 May}} 2025
| Incumbent
| ''Post abolished<br />{{small|(from 2025)}}''
|}

==Timeline==
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:21
PlotArea  = top:10 bottom:100 right:120 left:20
AlignBars = late

Define $today = {{#time:d/m/Y}}

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  id:ind   value:rgb(0.8,0.8,0.8)    legend:None_(Independent)
  id:mil   value:rgb(0.76,0.69,0.57) legend:Military
  id:bdg   value:rgb(0,0.4,0.2)      legend:Gabonese_Democratic_Bloc
  id:pdg   value:rgb(0.06,0.59,0.22) legend:Gabonese_Democratic_Party
  id:udsg  value:rgb(1,0,0)          legend:Gabonese_Democratic_and_Social_Union
  id:adere value:rgb(0.1,0.3,0.91)   legend:Democratic_and_Republican_Alliance
  id:udb   value:rgb(0.25,0.43,0.71) legend:Democratic_Union_of_Builders

  id:gray1  value:gray(0.85)
  id:gray2  value:gray(0.95)

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  text:"Political party:"

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 bar:M'ba
 bar:Aubame
 bar:OmarBongo
 bar:DiNdinge
 bar:Rogombe
 bar:AliBongo
 bar:Oligui

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  width:5 align:left fontsize:9 shift:(5,-4) anchor:till

 bar:M'ba
  from: 17/08/1960 till: 17/02/1964 color:bdg
  from: 18/02/1964 till: 28/11/1967 color:bdg   text:"[[Léon M'ba]]"
 bar:Aubame
  from: 18/02/1964 till: 19/02/1964 color:udsg  text:"[[Jean-Hilaire Aubame]] (coup)"
 bar:OmarBongo
  from: 28/11/1967 till: 12/03/1968 color:bdg
  from: 12/03/1968 till: 08/06/2009 color:pdg   text:"[[Omar Bongo]]"
 bar:DiNdinge
  from: 06/05/2009 till: 10/06/2009 color:adere text:"[[Didjob Divungi Di Ndinge]] (acting)"
 bar:Rogombe
  from: 10/06/2009 till: 16/10/2009 color:pdg   text:"[[Rose Francine Rogombé]] (acting)"
 bar:AliBongo
  from: 16/10/2009 till: 30/08/2023 color:pdg   text:"[[Ali Bongo]]"
 bar:Oligui
  from: 30/08/2023 till: 04/03/2025 color:mil
  from: 04/03/2025 till: 23/06/2025 color:ind
  from: 23/06/2025 till: $today     color:udb   text:"[[Brice Oligui Nguema]]"

}}

==Latest election==
{{main|2025 Gabonese presidential election}}
{{Election results
|cand1=[[Brice Oligui Nguema]]|party1=[[Independent politician|Independent]] ([[Rally of Builders]])|votes1=588074
|cand2=[[Alain Claude Bilie By Nze]]|party2=[[Ensemble pour le Gabon]]|votes2=19265
|cand3=Joseph Lapensée Essigone|party3=Independent|votes3=3744
|cand4={{ill|Gninga Chaning Zenaba|fr}}|party4=Independent|votes4=2419
|cand5=	Alain Simplice Gombré|party5=[[Gabonese Patriotic Party]]|votes5=2299|color5=#326330
|cand6=Stéphane Germain Iloko|party6=[[Large Rassemblement Arc-en-ciel]]|votes6=2214
|cand7=Axel Stophène Ibinga Ibinga|party7=Independent|votes7=1384
|cand8=Thierry Yvon Michel N'Goma|party8=Independent|votes8=601
|invalid=22632
|electorate=916625
|source=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngfu9to74WY CC]
}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==See also==
* [[First Lady of Gabon]]
* [[Vice President of Gabon]]
* [[Prime Minister of Gabon]]
* [[List of colonial governors of Gabon]]
* [[Politics of Gabon]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://presidence.ga/}} {{in lang|fr}}
* [http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Gabon.html World Statesmen – Gabon]
* [https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Gabon_2011?lang=en 1991 Constitution of Gabon (as amended in 2011)] {{In lang|en}}

{{Presidents of Gabon}}
{{Gabon topics}}
{{Heads of state and government of Africa}}

[[Category:Presidents of Gabon| ]]
[[Category:Lists of national presidents|Gabon]]
[[Category:Gabon politics-related lists|Presidents]]
[[Category:Gabon history-related lists|Presidents]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Gabon]]