In the aftermath of the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba from office, the military leaders in Gabon have appointed General Brice Oligui Nguema as the new head of government for the nation. According to the military regime, General Nguema will assume control of the country’s affairs until a general election is conducted to choose new leaders.
The decision to appoint General Nguema was reached by unanimous vote during a meeting of the army generals who led the coup. General Nguema, formerly the head of the presidential guard, has expressed that the people of Gabon had grown weary of Ali Bongo’s rule and were opposed to his bid for a third term, which he ignored. In his words, “Everyone talks about this but no one takes responsibility. So, the army decided to turn the page.”
The citizens of Gabon have responded with celebrations, endorsing the military regime that has taken control.
Following the coup, the Gabonese army annulled the results of the August 26 election, which had declared Ali Bongo the winner for a third term.
Meanwhile, Ali Bongo is currently detained by the military regime in Gabon, and he has called for help from his detention location, reaching out to his friends.
Ali Bongo Ondimba served as the third president of Gabon from 2009 to 2023. He succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon from 1967 to 2009 until his death in office.
Ali Bongo Ondimba held various positions in Gabon’s government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1989 to 1991, Deputy in the National Assembly representing Bongoville from 1991 to 1999, and Minister of Defense from 1999 to 2009. He assumed the presidency after his father’s death, was re-elected in 2016 for a second term, and sought a third term in the August 26 election but was prevented by the Gabonese Army on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, in a coup d’état.