Military leaders who orchestrated the recent coup in Gabon, resulting in the ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba from office, have named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the new head of government in the country. The military regime announced that General Nguema will assume control of the nation’s affairs until new leaders are elected through a general election.
During a unanimous vote at a meeting of Army Generals who led the coup, General Nguema, a former head of the presidential guard, was selected to lead the Transitional Government of Gabon. He cited the discontent among the Gabonese people with Ali Bongo’s rule and his decision to run for a third term despite their objections as the catalyst for the military’s action. General Nguema stated, “Everyone talks about this but no one takes responsibility. So the army decided to turn the page.”
The overthrow of Ali Bongo has been met with celebration by the citizens of Gabon, who have endorsed the military regime. Following the coup on Wednesday, the Gabonese army nullified the results of the August 26 election that declared Ali Bongo the winner for a third term.
Meanwhile, Ali Bongo is currently detained by the military regime in Gabon, and he has appealed for help from his detention location, reaching out to his friends to raise awareness.
Ali Bongo Ondimba served as the third president of Gabon from 2009 to 2023. He succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who governed Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009. Prior to becoming president, Ali Bongo held various governmental positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Defense. Despite his re-election in 2016 for a second term, his attempt at securing a third term in the August 26, 2023 election was halted by the Gabonese Army in a coup d’état on August 30, 2023.
