Army officers in Gabon have named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the country’s transitional leader following a coup on Wednesday. Gen Nguema was carried through the streets of the capital, Libreville, by his troops in a triumphant display. The deposed President, Ali Bongo, appeared in a video at his home, calling on his supporters to “make noise” on his behalf. Gabon, a major oil producer in Africa, has been ruled by the Bongo family for 55 years. The coup was condemned by the UN, the African Union, and France, which had close ties to the Bongo family. The US and UK also criticized the military takeover. The army officers claimed to have annulled the results of Saturday’s election, which the opposition said was fraudulent, and have arrested one of Mr Bongo’s sons for treason. Gen Nguema, former head of the presidential guard, was unanimously appointed as the transitional leader. The coup has been met with both fear and joy among the Gabonese people, who have long resented the Bongo family’s rule. Concerns about the election process have been raised, with allegations of missing ballot papers and the inclusion of withdrawn candidates on the ballot sheet. This is not the first time Mr Bongo’s wins have been disputed as fraudulent. The coup comes after Mr Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 and faced calls to step aside.
What factors contributed to the army officers’ decision to choose General Brice Oligui Nguema as Gabon’s transitional leader following the coup?
Army officers in Gabon have chosen General Brice Oligui Nguema as the country’s transitional leader following a coup on Wednesday. In a show of triumph, Gen Nguema was paraded through the streets of the capital, Libreville, by his troops. Meanwhile, the ousted President, Ali Bongo, appeared in a video from his home, urging his supporters to rally behind him. The Bongo family has held power in Gabon for 55 years, with the country being a major oil producer in Africa. The UN, the African Union, and France, which had close ties to the Bongo family, condemned the coup. The UK and the US also voiced their criticism towards the military takeover. The army officers claimed to have nullified the results of Saturday’s election, which the opposition had deemed fraudulent, and have subsequently arrested one of Mr Bongo’s sons on charges of treason. Gen Nguema, a former head of the presidential guard, was unanimously chosen as the transitional leader. The coup has evoked a mix of fear and joy among the Gabonese people, who have long held resentment towards the Bongo family’s reign. Concerns over the election process have been raised, with allegations of missing ballot papers and the inclusion of withdrawn candidates on the ballot sheet. This is not the first time Mr Bongo’s electoral victories have been disputed as fraudulent. The coup comes after Mr Bongo suffered a stroke in 2018 and faced mounting pressure to step aside.
Wow, this is a major development in Gabon. Hoping for stability and a peaceful transition of power.
I hope this leadership transition brings positive change and ensures the well-being of the Gabonese people.