Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema, who seized power in a coup that ended 56 years of rule by the Bongo family, has launched a new political party called the Democratic Union of Builders (UDB).
The party’s motto, “inclusion, development, happiness,” reflects its ambition to unite, transform, and elevate Gabon.
Nguema, who won a presidential election in April with nearly 95% of the votes, emphasized that the UDB will differ from past political parties, vowing to introduce a primary system to choose candidates democratically and avoid instrumentalizing elections.
The party’s inaugural congress drew thousands of supporters, including former heavyweights in the Bongo government, marking a significant step in Gabon’s post-coup political landscape.
