The main opposition parties in Gabon have taken a historic step by designating Albert Ondo Ossa as their sole candidate for the upcoming presidential election on August 26. This alliance, named “Alternance 2023,” aims to consolidate the voices of the opposition and provide a strong alternative to the incumbent president, Ali Bongo Ondimba.
In an unprecedented move, Gabon’s leading opposition political groups have managed to overcome their differences and unite behind a common candidate for the imminent presidential election. Albert Ondo Ossa, a respected figure within the opposition, has been chosen to lead this alliance known as “Alternance 2023.” This initiative, launched in January, brings together six opposition candidates who have pooled their efforts to achieve a unified candidacy.
The choice of a common candidate has proven crucial in a political context where the fragmentation of the opposition’s voices has often benefited the incumbent president. By presenting a single strong candidate, the opposition parties hope to concentrate the votes and thereby increase their chances of victory. The ultimate goal of this coalition is to strengthen democracy by providing Gabonese citizens with a credible alternative and a clear choice in the election.
On August 26, the day of the election, Gabonese voters will be presented with a single ballot on which they must vote both for their chosen presidential candidate and for their party’s candidate in the legislative election. This method aims to strengthen the links between the various elections and encourage voters to make informed and consistent choices.
The incumbent president, 64-year-old Ali Bongo Ondimba, has been in power since 2009, succeeding his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled the country for many years. Ali Bongo was reelected in 2016, but that election was marked by controversies and allegations of fraud. The opposition, eager to break with this past and build a new political era, sees Albert Ondo Ossa as a candidate capable of uniting citizens’ aspirations and leading Gabon toward a better future.
