The leader of the coup that deposed Gabon’s President Ali Bongo was inaugurated as interim president on Monday, in a televised ceremony that garnered enthusiastic support from jubilant followers.
In the eighth coup to occur in West and Central Africa within the past three years, a group of military officers, led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, took control on August 30. This seizure of power transpired shortly after an announcement declaring Bongo as the election winner, an outcome they subsequently nullified, citing a lack of credibility.
Nguema received a standing ovation from both military officers and officials upon his arrival for the ceremony. The applause continued after he took the oath of office, administered by a panel of judges from the constitutional court.
State TV showed images of a cheering crowd and armoured personnel carriers firing into the sea to mark the moment.
During his address, Nguema put forward a series of proposed reforms, encompassing the adoption of a new constitution through a referendum, the establishment of new electoral and penal codes, and initiatives designed to give precedence to local banks and businesses in the realm of economic development.
Additionally, he expressed a commitment to welcoming back political exiles and releasing political prisoners.
Amidst frequent interruptions by enthusiastic cheers, he characterized the coup as a moment of national liberation and emphasized that it marked the end of the Bongo family’s 56-year reign over the oil-producing nation, deeming it a manifestation of God’s will
“When the people are crushed by their leaders … it’s the army that gives them back their dignity,” he said. “People of Gabon, today the times of happiness that our ancestors dreamt of are finally coming.”
Numerous high-ranking officials from Bongo’s administration, including the vice president and prime minister, were present at the ceremony.
Bongo, however, continues to be placed under house arrest. He assumed the presidency in 2009, succeeding his late father who had held power since 1967. Critics argue that the Bongo family has inadequately distributed Gabon’s oil and mining riches among the nation’s 2.3 million inhabitants.
Pledge for civilian rule
Nguema reaffirmed his commitment to organizing free and equitable elections during his tenure, although he did not provide a specific timetable for these elections.
“After this transition … we intend to return power to civilians by organising new elections that will be free, transparent, credible and peaceful,” he said.
Earlier, Nguema had emphasized that the junta aimed to progress “quickly but surely,” underscoring the importance of avoiding excessive haste to ensure that ensuing elections maintain their credibility.
The coup had drawn cheering crowds onto the streets of the capital Libreville but condemnation from abroad.
The leaders of the Central African regional bloc ECCAS are scheduled to convene in person on Monday to deliberate on their collective response. In the previous week, they called upon partners, including the United Nations and the African Union, to assist in expediting the restoration of constitutional order.
Gabon’s primary opposition party, Alternance 2023, which claims to be the legitimate victor of the August 26 election, has appealed to the international community to support the junta’s return of power to civilian authorities.
Members of Alternance 2023 engaged in discussions with Nguema on Sunday, as revealed by a source within the alliance. However, no additional details regarding the meeting were disclosed.