Gabon coup leaders appoint Gen Brice Oligui Nguema as new leader

Military leaders that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba from office in a coup on Wednesday have appointed General Brice Oligui Nguema as the new head of government of Gabon.

According to the military regime, General Nguema would henceforth take over the affairs of the country pending when a general election is conducted for new leaders.

General Brice Oligui Nguema, Head of Transition Government

The Army Generals that led the coup, at a meeting agreed by a unanimous vote to appoint Gen Nguema, former head of the presidential guard, to head the Transitional Government of Gabon.

READ ALSO: After 91 years in office, 3 African Presidents panic over coup

Nguema had noted that the people of Gabon had enough of Ali Bongo’s rule, and decided that he should not have run for a third term, but he ignored them.

According to the General, “Everyone talks about this but no one takes responsibility.
“So the army decided to turn the page.”

READ ALSO: Coup in Africa worrisome – Atiku

Citizens in Gabon have continued to celebrate the overthrow of Ali Bongo, as they endorse the military regime.

The Gabonese army had after the coup on Wednesday, cancelled the result of the August 26 election which proclaimed ousted Ali Bongo winner for a third term.

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Meanwhile, Ali Bongo is being detained by the military regime in Gabon; he has cried out from his detention location for help, calling on his friends to make noise.

READ ALSO: No sympathy for Ali Bongo – Aisha Yesufu

Ali Bongo Ondimba, the third president of Gabon has been in office from 2009 to 2023.
He succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon from 1967 to 2009, when he died in office.

Ali Bongo Ondimba was Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1991 in the administration of Omar Bongo; he represented Bongoville as a Deputy in the National Assembly from 1991 to 1999, and was Minister of Defense from 1999 to 2009.

Ali Bongo Ondimba succeeded his father on his death in 2009; was re-elected President of Gabon in 2016 for a second term, and proceeded for a third term in the August 26 election but was stopped by the Gabonese Army on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, in a coup d’état.