Bongo’s VP, Prime Minister Attend Swearing In Of Coup Leader As Interim President

Bongo’s VP, Prime Minister Attend Swearing In Of Coup Leader As Interim President

Brice Nguema, the leader of the coup that deposed President Ali Bongo of Gabon, was officially sworn in as interim president on Monday.

In a televised ceremony, Mr. Nguema received an enthusiastic welcome from his supporters, aiming to portray the military as liberators of a suppressed society.

This coup, which marked West and Central Africa’s eighth coup in three years, occurred on August 30.

Army officers, led by Mr. Nguema, took control just moments after an announcement that Mr. Bongo had won an election. The coup leaders declared the election null and void, asserting its lack of credibility.

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In his address, Mr. Nguema referred to the military’s actions as a sudden and necessary change, comparing it to a meteorite appearing in the darkness of night. He emphasized that it was a peaceful transition, free from violence or clashes, as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) acted to remove a regime that had been undermining the country’s institutions for years.

During his speech, which was frequently interrupted by cheers, Mr. Nguema proposed several reforms. These included the adoption of a new constitution through a referendum, the implementation of new electoral and penal codes, and initiatives aimed at promoting local banks and companies for economic development. He also announced the welcoming back of political exiles and the release of political prisoners.

Notably, several members of Mr. Bongo’s government, including the vice president and prime minister, attended the inauguration, while Mr. Bongo remained under house arrest.

The coup, which ended the 56-year rule of the Bongo family, drew crowds of supporters onto the streets of the capital, Libreville. However, it was met with condemnation from abroad.

The Central African regional bloc (ECCAS) called on international partners, led by the United Nations and the African Union, to support a swift return to constitutional order.

During his inauguration, Mr. Nguema reiterated his commitment to organizing free and fair elections, although he did not specify a timetable. He had previously stated that the junta would move forward “quickly but cautiously,” recognizing that excessive haste could compromise the credibility of the elections.