In a stunning turn of events, Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s military junta, has been officially inaugurated as the nation’s interim president following a dramatic coup that shook the country last week.
Nguema, formerly the head of Gabon’s presidential guard, orchestrated the military takeover, ousting President Ali Bongo in the wake of a highly contested election. The coup leaders cited a range of crises, including institutional, political, economic, and social issues, as the catalyst for their intervention.
Initially, the coup leaders, identifying themselves as members of the Committee of Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), declared the dissolution of all republican institutions and sealed the country’s borders. However, they have since reopened the borders, citing their commitment to upholding the rule of law, fostering international relations, and honoring global commitments.
Nguema’s ascent to power has garnered some support from the Gabonese populace, evident in the enthusiastic crowds that attended his inauguration. Nevertheless, concerns linger that his rule may simply extend the Bongo family’s 53-year grip on the nation.
Ali Bongo, who came to power after his father, Omar, passed away in 2009, represented a long-standing dynasty in Gabonese politics. Reports suggest that Nguema is a cousin of the Bongo family, fueling speculation about a continuation of their influence.
Furthermore, Nguema faces allegations of corruption. A 2020 investigation by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) uncovered his investments in real estate, including the acquisition of three properties in Maryland suburbs near the U.S. capital, totaling over $1 million in cash.
While initially aligned with Omar Bongo, Nguema was later sidelined from the inner circle of the Bongo family when Ali assumed power.
As the situation unfolds, opposition voices, while initially commending the military for resisting what they termed an “electoral coup,” are now urging the junta to complete the ballot counting process and recognize Ossa as the “rightful winner.” Notably, there has been no indication from the junta about a return to civilian rule, leaving the country’s political future uncertain.
