Gabon Coup leader sworn-in as interim president

The leader of the revolution that removed the President of Gabon, Ali Bongo, was sworn in as interim president by the judges of the Constitutional Court on Monday in a televised event designed to strengthen government governance.
In West and Central Africa’s eighth coup in three years, military officers led by General Brice Oligui Nguema seized power on August 30, minutes after the announcement that Bongo had won a third term in elections – a result they overturned. it is considered unreliable. .

Nguema received cheers from the audience of officers and army officers when he arrived at the ceremony, then immediately after he was sworn in. State television broadcast images of jubilant crowds and cannons firing into the sea to mark the occasion.

The revolution, which ended 56 years of power by the Bongo family in the oil-producing country, drew crowds to the streets of the capital Libreville, but was condemned from abroad.

Leaders of the Central African Community ECCAS are set to meet face-to-face on Monday to discuss their response to the impeachment. Last week, they called on their allies led by the United Nations and the African Union to support a quick return to constitutional order.

The junta has not yet said how long it plans to stay in power. On Friday, Nguema said it would be done “quickly but surely”, but warned that too much haste could lead to a dishonest election.