After the coup in Gabon, general announces Ali Bongo 'retired'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Le Monde
30 Aug 2023 23:09

In an interview with Le Monde, the Head of the Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema, said that Gabonese President Ali Bongo does not have the right to serve a third term.

Gabonese soldiers carry General Brice Oligui Nguema, head of the presidential guard. [Screenshot by Gabon 24/AFP]

A few hours after soldiers announced that they had overthrown Gabonese President Ali Bongo on Wednesday, August 30, and annulled the result of the general elections which presented him as the winner, demonstrations in support of the presidential guard took place across the country.

Acclaimed by hundreds of soldiers in Libreville, the capital, the head of the Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema, could become the country's new strongman. Le Monde was able to contact him exclusively.

It should be noted that after the interview, the Gabon junta named General Brice Oligui Nguema as the transition leader, according to a statement made by soldiers on national television.

In an interview with the head of the Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema, he was asked by Le Monde, "Do you consider yourself the new Gabonese head of state?"

Nguema said, "I do not declare myself yet, I do not envisage anything for the moment. This is a debate that we are going to have with all the generals. We will meet at 2 pm (3 pm Paris time). It will be about reaching a consensus. Everyone will put forward ideas and the best ones will be chosen, as well as the name of the person who will lead the transition."

Le Monde proceeded to ask, "Was this coup planned for a long time, or was it the proclamation of the results of the August 26 vote, giving Ali Bongo the winner, which pushed you to act?"

He said that in Gabon, there is discontent and that there is the illness of the Head of State [Ali Bongo suffered a stroke in October 2018, which left him weakened.]

Nguema added that everyone talks about it, but no one takes responsibility, stressing that the head of state does not have the right to serve a third term, highlighting that the constitution was violated, "the method of the election itself was not good. So the army decided to turn the page, to take its responsibilities."

"What fate will be reserved for Ali Bongo?" asked Le Monde.

Nguema said that the Head of State is a "Gabonese head of state. He is retired, and he enjoys all his rights. He is a normal Gabonese, like everyone else."

"Do you confirm that he is under house arrest at his home in Libreville?" the newspaper asked.

The general had no information to add but said that there would be revelations along the way.