Gabon Junta appoints transitional president, shares details

General Brice Oligui Nguema has been appointed as the new head of state of Gabon after overthrowing President Ali Bongo, Bloomberg reported.

Soldiers in Gabon on Wednesday, August 30, appointed the head of the republican guard as the OPEC member state’s new leader, hours after placing deposed President Bongo under house arrest and annulling elections in which he secured a third term.

Following this development, Reuters reported that General Nguema will serve as transitional president, Agence France-Presse reported, citing a statement read out on state television in the capital, Libreville, on Wednesday, August 30.

“General Oligui Nguema Brice was unanimously appointed chairman of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, chairman of the transition,” declared an officer in the presence of dozens of senior officers, according to the press release read out on Gabon 24.

Watch the video below:

General Brice Oligui Nguema- who led today’s coup in Gabon- has been named the country’s transitional leader pic.twitter.com/yC75Z00UHA

— Samira Sawlani (@samirasawlani) August 30, 2023