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West Africa

Transitional President of Gabon suggests two year transitional Government

September 12, 2023

(3 minutes read)

A two-year deadline for the free elections promised in Gabon by the military that overthrew President Ali Bongo is a reasonable objective, according to the country’s transitional Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima.

The army overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba, who had been in power for 14 years, moments after he was proclaimed re-elected in an election deemed fraudulent by the military and the opposition. Earlier to him, his father ruled the country for 41 years. General Brice Oligui Nguema, proclaimed President of the transition, immediately promised to return power to civilians through elections at the end of a period which he did not announce.

Raymond Ndong Sima said it was a good idea to start with a reasonable objective to see the process completed within 24 months of the elections. Sima, (68), was appointed head of the transitional government by General Oligui Nguema, who was previously a leading opposition figure to Mr. Bongo. The coup d’état on August 30 took place in a matter of moments and without any bloodshed.

The coup is supported by the vast majority of the population and the opposition. People feel that the military acted to preserve human lives after a fraudulent election and to put an end to the bad governance and corruption of the Bongo clan.

Ndong Sima announced the composition of his government, appointed by General Oligui and comprising former ministers of the deposed president, members of the former opposition, and civil society figures previously hostile to Mr. Bongo and his family. The transitional charter put in place by the military prohibits members of the provisional government, including Ndong Sima, from standing in the forthcoming elections, but does not explicitly exclude General Oligui from running for the presidency. General Oligui has also promised a new constitution, to be adopted by referendum, and a new electoral code, with the participation of all the living forces of the Nation.