Ousted Gabonese President granted permission to travel for treatment

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Sep 2023 23:58
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Transitional president General Brice Oligie Nguema has permitted ousted Gabonese President Ali Bongo to travel abroad for medical treatment due to concerns about his health.

A defaced billboard of ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba is seen on an empty street in Libreville, Gabon, Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 (AP)

General Brice Oligie Nguema, the transitional president appointed by rebels in Gabon, has granted ousted President Ali Bongo permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, citing concerns about his health.

"Given the health condition of the former President of the Republic, Ali Bongo has the freedom of movement. If he wants to, he can travel abroad for medical control," a spokesperson for the newly installed administration said.

The military overthrew Bongo shortly after he was declared the winner of the presidential elections, which the opposition accused of being rigged.

The coup leaders announced that they had dissolved the country's institutions, annulled the election results, and closed the borders.

General Oligui Nguema will take the oath of office as the Gabonese transitional president on Monday.

Gabon is the sixth African country to have undergone a coup in the last three years. Other countries include Mali, Guinea, Sudan Burkina Faso, and most recently Niger.

Earlier, General Brice Oligui Nguema vowed to craft a new constitution for the country, which everyone partakes in its drafting.

During a press conference attended by representatives of local and international media, Nguema indicated that after the constitution is drafted, electoral systems will be put in place, and elections will be held directly afterward.

General Nguema reiterated that ousted President Ali Bongo won the presidential elections through fraud, and therefore, the results were canceled.