Gabon’s military leader, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has been sworn in as the head of state of Gabon days after ousting the president, Ali Bongo whose family had ruled for more than five decades.
Gen. Oligui took the oath in the presidential palace, Gabon’s capital, Libreville on Monday, September 4.
According to Reports, Oligui is a cousin to the ousted President Ali Bongo, served as a bodyguard to Ali’s late father and also head of the republican guard, an elite military unit.
While addressing the public in the swearing in event, Oligui said that the military had seized power without bloodshed, also promising to return power to the people by organizing free, transparent and credible elections.
“With the new government, made up of experienced people, we’re going to give everyone a chance to hope,” he said.
The mutinous soldiers who toppled Bongo last week said he risked leading the country into chaos and they then “unanimously” designated Oligui president of the transitional committee.
Bongo, who had been president for 14 years, was ousted hours after being declared the winner of a vote that was widely seen as rife with irregularities and lacking transparency.
According to a senior analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a risk assessment firm, Maja Bovcon, the speedy swearing-in of Oligui will create perceptions of legitimacy and consolidate his power to deter potential opponents from challenging his rule.
