Coup Leader General Nguema Sworn In as Transitional Head of State in Gabon
Nguema was sworn in at the presidential palace in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, promising credible elections. Gabon's new military leader was sworn in as head of state on Monday, less than a week after the ousting of a president whose family has ruled the Central African country for more than 50 years.
General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is sworn in at the Presidential Palace before a crowded and noisy room full of government officials and military and local leaders in the Gabonese capital Libreville. Oligui, a cousin of ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, was his late father's bodyguard and led the Republican Guard, an elite military unit.
Oligui on Monday gave a standing ovation for the military taking power without bloodshed and vowed to return power to citizens through free, transparent and credible elections." With a new government of experienced people, we will give everyone the opportunity to hope," he said. The rebel soldiers who toppled Bongo last week said the country was in danger of plunging the country into chaos, prompting Oligui to be named chairman of the Transitional Committee "unanimously".
Bongo, who had been president for 14 years, was removed from office hours after being declared the winner in a vote widely seen as fraught with irregularities and a lack of transparency. The coup is celebrated on the streets of Gabon but condemned by the African Union and the international community.
Oligui's rapid installation will give a semblance of legitimacy and consolidate his power to deter potential adversaries from challenging his power, said Maja Bovcon, senior analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a risk assessment firm.
"It will also likely restore investor confidence by sending the message that they will not waste time going back to their old democratic rules," he said. However, the fact that he plans to rewrite the constitution and electoral law means the transition period will likely take months if not years. Bongo has held this position since he came to power in 2009 after his father's death, who had ruled the country for 41 years. years and his family's dominance was universal.
Another group of rebel soldiers attempted a coup in 2019 but were quickly defeated. Gabonese opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa has not yet commented on the nomination but told Al Jazeera on Friday that he had won the election and that the coup was a disappointment.“It was a palace revolution, not a coup. "It's a family affair, with one brother replacing the other," he said.
Ossa, an economics professor nominated by the six opposition parties to Allianz Alternance 2023, won with a 30% vote while the incumbent President received 64%.
The former French colony is a member of OPEC, but its oil wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, and in 2020 nearly 40% of Gabonese aged 15-24 were unemployed, according to the World Bank. According to the US Energy Information Agency (EIA), oil export revenues will reach $6 billion in 2022.
Ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba: Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power for 14 years, was removed from office following a controversial election. The vote was marred by irregularities and a lack of transparency, which led to widespread dissatisfaction among the populace.
Installation of General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema: General Oligui Nguema, a cousin of the ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, played a significant role in this political transition. He was formerly his father's bodyguard and led the Republican Guard, an elite military unit. Oligui was sworn in as the interim head of state with the promise of conducting credible elections in the future.
Reactions to the Coup: The coup was met with mixed reactions. It was celebrated by some in Gabon, but it faced condemnation from the African Union and the international community.
International Perspective: The rapid installation of General Oligui Nguema is seen as an attempt to legitimize his rule and consolidate his power quickly. This move is also likely aimed at reassuring investors that the country is stable and open for business.
Challenges in the Transition: General Oligui Nguema's plan to rewrite the constitution and electoral laws suggests that the transition period may take a significant amount of time, potentially months or even years. This raises concerns about the future governance of Gabon and whether it will adhere to democratic principles.
Past Coup Attempts: Gabon has experienced previous coup attempts, such as the one in 2019 that was quickly suppressed. These incidents indicate political instability and tensions within the country.
Economic Situation: Gabon is an OPEC member and has significant oil reserves. However, despite its oil wealth, a large portion of the population faces unemployment. The concentration of oil wealth in the hands of a few is a persistent issue, and addressing this inequality will likely be a challenge for any new government.
Election Results: It's worth noting that the opposition candidate, Albert Ondo Ossa, claims to have won the election with 30% of the vote, while the incumbent President received 64%. This adds another layer of complexity to the political situation in Gabon.
Gabon is currently undergoing a period of political turmoil with the ousting of a long-standing president, the installation of an interim leader, and uncertainty about the future direction of the country. The political and economic challenges facing Gabon will likely require significant efforts to achieve stability and address the needs of its population.