What You Need To Know About Brice Oligui Nguema, The Alleged Coup Leader In Gabon

What You Need To Know About Brice Oligui Nguema, The Alleged Coup Leader In Gabon

Shortly after Gabon’s electoral commission declared President Ali Bongo Ondimba the winner of a third term in office on Wednesday, a group of senior military officers announced a coup, annulling the election results.

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Here is what we know about Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, the presumed leader of the attempted coup:

A Prominent Figure

Nguema holds a significant role in Gabon, being both influential and enigmatic. Raised in a military family, he was inclined towards a military career from an early age and received training at the Royal Military Academy of Meknes in Morocco.

His military prowess gained recognition within Gabon’s former President Omar Bongo’s Republican Guard. Nguema served as a military assistant to a guard commander, also known as “aides-de-camp,” until Omar Bongo’s death in 2009.

With the rise of Omar Bongo’s son, Ali Bongo, to power in 2009, Nguema was sent on diplomatic missions to Morocco and Senegal, later returning to Gabon in 2018. In 2019, he assumed leadership of the Republican Guard.

As the head of the Gabonese Republican Guard, recognizable by their green berets, Nguema played a role in safeguarding the president and enhancing the nation’s internal security through advanced military equipment and precision shooters. He established the Special Intervention Section (SIS) within the Republican Guard, directly under Ali Bongo’s leadership.

Nguema was also credited with composing a song in protection of the president, reflecting his dedication and loyalty.

A Businessman

Apart from his military and diplomatic duties, Nguema displayed entrepreneurial skills and was recognized for his wealthy status within Gabonese circles.

In a 2020 investigation by The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) on the Bongo family’s assets in the United States, Nguema’s involvement in expanding the family’s overseas businesses was highlighted. He acquired properties in the United States, particularly in Maryland suburbs, with significant cash transactions.

While these acquisitions raised questions, Nguema regarded them as private matters, emphasizing the importance of respecting individual privacy.

A Potential Future?

Political analyst Adama Gaye indicated that the ongoing coup in Gabon was not unexpected, given the growing dissatisfaction with Ali Bongo’s rule. He mentioned that Ali Bongo aimed to suppress opposition and orchestrate a rigged election victory, but the military intervened due to the implausibility of the situation.

In an interview with French daily Le Monde, Nguema echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the unconstitutionality of Ali Bongo’s third term and the military’s responsibility to take action.

Nguema proposed that Ali Bongo retire, asserting that he could enjoy the rights of a regular Gabonese citizen. He revealed that the generals would convene to determine a successor for Bongo.

While Bongo is currently under house arrest, videos and images circulating on social media showcase Gabonese soldiers celebrating Nguema and referring to him as Gabon’s “next strongman.”

Credit: Al Jazeera