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Gabon, coup leader sworn in as president

2023-09-04 20:14:41, Kosova & Bota CNA

Gabon, coup leader sworn in as president

The new military leader of the African state of Gabon was sworn in as head of state on Monday, just days after the ouster of President Ali Bongo, whose family ruled the country for five decades.

General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was sworn in at the presidential palace, in front of many government officials, military and local leaders in the capital Libreville. Mr. Oligui is the cousin of ousted President Bongo and served as his late father's bodyguard. General Oligui has also served as the head of the Republican Guard, an elite military unit.

Amid applause, Mr. Oligui said that the army took power without bloodshed and promised to hold free, democratic and credible elections.

"With the new government, composed of experienced people, we will give everyone the opportunity to hope," he said.

The officers who organized the uprising to oust Mr Bongo last week said he risked plunging the country into chaos and that they had "unanimously" decided to appoint Mr Oligui president of the transitional committee. Mr. Bongo, who had held the position of president for the last 14 years, was overthrown just a few hours after being declared the winner of the elections, which according to estimates were accompanied by many irregularities and a lack of transparency.

Mr. Oligui's quick swearing-in ceremony will create the impression of legitimacy and consolidate his power to discourage potential opponents from challenging his rule, said Maja Bovcon, an analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a risk assessment company.

"Of course, the goal is also to restore the confidence of investors by conveying the message that I will not waste time to return the country to normality and the democratic order", she emphasized. However, the fact that he plans to rewrite the constitution and electoral code means that the transition period will last months, if not years./ VOA





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