The head of the Military Junta, General Brice Oligui Nguema, is scheduled to take the oath of office to become the interim president of Gabon.
On Wednesday, August 30, 2023, the army overthrew President Ali Bongo and shortly after he was recognized as the victor of a disputed election.
Gen. Nguema’s inauguration is anticipated to draw supporters of the Gabonese military establishment.
Although there is increased security, the country is in a calm mood.
The 55-year Bongo dynasty may not be over, as the coup’s leader is reportedly the cousin of ousted president Ali Bongo.
To learn from the mistakes of the past, Gen. Nguema has stated that he will not rush the country back to civilian rule.
The military isn’t showing any signs of ceding power, the opposition has warned.
As the former colonial power France struggles to maintain its sway on the continent, Gabon is the sixth country in the Francophone world to be placed under military rule in the last three years.
