Gabon’s new leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has been actively engaging with national groups and foreign interests just days after orchestrating a coup that ended the Bongo family’s 55-year rule.
Following the takeover, General Oligui has been on a mission to communicate with Gabon’s “vital forces.” He recently met with members of civil society and addressed 200 businessmen, emphasizing the need to combat corruption. In a stern warning to business leaders, he cautioned against “over-billing” and urged them to commit to the country’s development, pledging to recover overcharged funds for the state.
In an effort to seek international recognition and support, General Oligui also extended invitations to foreign donors, diplomats, and members of international organizations for meetings. Details regarding these meetings are still unclear, and some countries and organizations that have condemned the coup have sent officials of lower ranks rather than their senior representatives.
General Oligui, the leader of the elite Republican Guard, led a coup against President Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power for three terms. The coup occurred shortly after Bongo was declared the winner of presidential elections, an outcome contested by the opposition as fraudulent.
While General Oligui is set to be sworn in as the “transitional president” on Monday, many nations have not recognized him as Gabon’s legitimate leader, and there is growing pressure for him to outline his plans for restoring civilian rule.
This coup in Gabon is part of a trend in Africa, with several other countries, including Mali, Guinea, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Niger, experiencing coups in recent years, often resulting in a struggle to return to civilian governance.
The Bongo family had ruled Gabon for over five decades, with President Ali Bongo taking office in 2009 following the death of his father, Omar Bongo. The recent coup leaders have placed Ali Bongo under house arrest and claimed to have dissolved the nation’s institutions, canceled the election results, and closed the borders.
Amidst this political upheaval, the former president’s son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, and other officials have been arrested, facing allegations of treason, embezzlement, corruption, and falsifying the president’s signature. The situation remains fluid, with international scrutiny on the developments in Gabon.