The Union of the Gabonese People (UPG) has entered a transformative phase in its history. On Thursday, June 25, 2026, in Libreville, Marie Joselle Itsana was elected as the party’s president during an extraordinary Congress that drew widespread attention. Her election marks a historic milestone: she becomes the first woman ever to lead this influential political movement.
The vote was fiercely contested, reflecting the intensity of internal discussions. Out of 43 ballots cast, Marie Joselle Itsana secured 23 votes, narrowly defeating her opponent Roger Mouloungui, who received 20.
Uniting a divided party
Rather than ignoring the divisions that surfaced during the Congress, the new leader chose to transform them into a unifying force. “Our Congress revealed diverse perspectives and differing opinions. This only proves that our party is alive and dynamic,” she stated, acknowledging her victory with a sense of humility and gravity given the challenges ahead.
For Marie Joselle Itsana, the priority now is cohesion. Fully aware of the internal rifts that have weakened the movement in the past, she has called for an end to factional infighting. Her vision is clear: overcome internal divisions to rebuild the party collectively.
Reviving a political force
The new president’s ambition is to restore the UPG’s former prominence on Gabon’s political landscape. The roadmap is ambitious and includes strengthening the party’s grassroots presence nationwide while championing a platform built on sovereignty, justice, transparency, and development.
Honoring the past, empowering the future
While focusing on the future, Marie Joselle Itsana paid tribute to the party’s historical figures, notably its late founding president Pierre Mamboundou, and the activists who sacrificed for democracy. “We must honor the legacy we inherited and be responsible stewards of the future we pass on,” she emphasized.
Looking ahead, she urged the younger generation to take an active role in shaping the party’s strategic direction, declaring that a new chapter for the UPG begins “today and now.”