Gabonese general and coup leader Oligui sworn in as interim president
Gabon coup leader sworn in
Gabonese General Brice Oligui Nguema, who led the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo, was swornin as the interim on Monday (September 4) by the country’s constitutional court judges in a televised ceremony. This comes days after the country’s military led by Oligui, seized power of the Central African nation of2.3 million people.
Interim president vows to hold ‘free and transparent elections’
The coup, on August 30, took place minutes after the announcement that Bongo had secured a third term after an electionwhose result has since been annulled by the military after saying it was not credible.
In his speech,Oliguiproposed reforms includinga new constitution to be adopted by referendum;new electoral and penal codes;and measures to prioritise local banks and companies for economic development, as per Reuters.
“I swear before God and the Gabonese people to faithfully preserve the republican regime,” said Oligui, as quoted by AFP. He has also vowed to “hold free, transparent and credible elections” after a still-unspecified transition period andamnesty to “prisoners of conscience.”
Oligui, head of the elite Republican Guard, received a standingovation from an audience of military officers and officials as he arrived for the ceremony and again after he was sworn in, said a report by Reuters citing the state TV footage.
It is also worth noting that several figures fromBongo's government, including the vice president and prime minister, attended the ceremony while hehimself remains under house arrest. Bongo was elected in 2009 aftertaking over from his late father who came to power in 1967.
Images, as per the media report, showed a cheering crowd and tanks firing into the sea to mark the moment. Oligui, who was dressed in the red ceremonial uniformof the Republican Guard for the ceremony, also swore to “preserve the achievements of democracy,” as per AFP.
He has also sought the participation of all “core groups” in the country to draft a new constitution which “will be adopted by referendum.”
About the coup and international condemnation
The coup ended a 56-year hold on power by the Bongo dynasty in the oil-producing country and drew cheering crowds onto the streets of the capital Libreville but has receivedflak from other nations. Themove marked the eighth coup in three years among the West and Central African nations.
The swearing-in ceremony of the Gabonese general also took place as the leaders of the Central African regional bloc ECCAS are due to meet in person, on Monday (Sep 4) to discuss their response to Bongo’s ouster.
Oligui is yet to be recognised as Gabon’s legitimate leader as he continues to face pressure to spell out his plans for restoring civilian rule.
The coup leaders, on Wednesday, dissolved the nation’s institutions, cancelled the election results and temporarily closed the borders.
Meanwhile, Gabon’s main opposition group, Alternance 2023 says it is the rightful winner of the election and called on the international community to encourage the junta to hand power back to civilians.
A report by Reuters citing a source in the opposition alliance said that its members met Oligui on Sunday (Sep 3) for talks without sharing further details.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.