Military leaders responsible for the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba from power on Wednesday have announced the appointment of General Brice Oligui Nguema as the new head of government of Gabon. This decision comes as the military regime assumes control of the country while awaiting the organization of a general election to select new leaders.
In a unanimous vote at a meeting, the Army Generals leading the coup selected General Nguema, the former head of the presidential guard, to lead the Transitional Government of Gabon. General Nguema expressed that the people of Gabon had grown weary of Ali Bongo’s rule, particularly his decision to run for a third term despite widespread opposition.
According to General Nguema, “Everyone talks about this but no one takes responsibility. So the army decided to turn the page.”
The citizens of Gabon have shown their support for the military regime, with celebrations continuing in the wake of Ali Bongo’s removal from power. Following the coup on Wednesday, the Gabonese army annulled the results of the August 26 election that declared Ali Bongo as the winner for a third term.
Currently, Ali Bongo is being detained by the military regime in Gabon, and he has reached out for help from his location of detention, calling on 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 had ruled Gabon from 1967 until his death in 2009.
Ali Bongo Ondimba’s political career included roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1991, representing Bongoville as a Deputy in the National Assembly from 1991 to 1999, and serving as Minister of Defense from 1999 to 2009. He took office as President of Gabon upon his father’s death in 2009 and was re-elected in 2016 for a second term before attempting a third term in the August 26, 2023 election, which was halted by the Gabonese Army in a coup d’état on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.