Gabon holds presidential election following end of Bongo family rule

A military coup in Gabon led by Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in August 2023 overthrew President Ali Bongo Ondimba after 55 years of Bongo family rule. The coup resulted in the ousting of President Bongo, who was placed under house arrest but later released due to health concerns. Following this event, a referendum was held in November, in which approximately 860,000 registered voters approved a new constitution with a seven-year presidential term limit and an amnesty for participants in the coup.