General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led a coup last week ending the Bongo family’s 55-year-old dynasty in Gabon, took the oath of office as interim president today, Monday, September 4th.
Oligui, the head of the Republican Guard, organised the coup that took place last Wednesday, resulting in the ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, after he proclaimed himself the victor in last month’s heavily contested presidential election.
Ali Bongo took office in 2009 from his father, former president Omar Bongo, who ruled from 1967 until his death.
Nine members of the Bongo family are also currently under investigation in France, and some face preliminary charges of embezzlement, money laundering, and other forms of corruption, according to the French NGO Sherpa. Investigators have linked the family to more than $92 million in properties in France, including two villas in Nice.
Oligui, who is also Ali Bongo’s cousin, appeared before judges of the Constitutional Court dressed in his red Republican Guard ceremonial uniform. He swore to “preserve the achievements of democracy”.
“I swear before God and the Gabonese people to faithfully preserve the republican regime.”
He also pledged to hold free and transparent elections after a transition period, which he did not specify, and to grant amnesty to “prisoners of conscience.”
However, other countries have not acknowledged Oligui’s legitimate rule and continue to demand the safe release of Bongo and his family. In response to this, the nation’s borders have remained closed.
In the country, some leaders of the former opposition have also urged Oligui to hand over power. However, the general consensus amongst the Gabonose population is more hopeful with the newly appointed leader.
“We are turning the page on 55 years of an oligarchy. For Gabon, it is a new start, the end of one political party governance without real benefits for the Gabonese people,” said Desire Ename, publisher for a local media outlet. “It would be acceptable for the junta to transition within three years.”
Gabon is now the sixth African country to undergo a coup in the past three years. Including Niger earlier this year as well as Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad.
