Gabon’s military leader Brice Oligui Nguema has been declared the winner in the presidential race, cementing his grip on power following the first election since he led the 2023 coup.

Gabon’s election body announced provisional results on Sunday that Nguema secured 90 percent in Saturday’s election, against his closest rival, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze.

Nguema, who had been instrumental in ending 55 years of iron-fisted dynastic rule of the Bongo family led by former leader Ali Bongo, was widely expected to win the election.

On election day, opposition leader Bilie-By-Nze had warned about “potential” problems during the counting, but Nguema said the electoral process was “transparent”.

More details soon.