Gabon coup leader Brice Nguema declares self president

Brice Oligui Nguema, leader of the Gabon’s military coup that removed President Ali Bongo, was on Monday sworn in as the country’s interim president.

Mr Nguema, sworn in by constitutional judges in a televised ceremony, pledged to return power to civilians after “free, transparent” elections. He did not give a date when that will happen.

In his speech, Gen Nguema referenced the likes of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, French statesman Charles Fe Gaulle and former Ghanaian leader Jerry Rawlings.

“This patriotic action will be a lesson learnt that will be taught in the books of our schools,” he said.

He a new government would be formed “in a few days” and recommended new electoral legislation, a new penal code and a referendum on a new constitution.

Mr Nguema also said he had instructed the new government “to think without delay” about freeing all political prisoners.

Legitimizing a coup

Mr Nguema’s swearing in is seen as the junta’s ploy to solidify and legitimize its grip on power.

A former head of the country’s presidential guard, he led a group of soldiers to oust Ali Bongo last Wednesday shortly after the announcement of the presidential election results.

The military officers had in a broadcast said the election was not transparent and credible. They cited institutional, political, economic, and social crises as reasons for the coup.

On Saturday, the coup leaders reopened the borders, saying they were “concerned with preserving respect for the rule of law, good relations with our neighbours and all states of the world” — and wanted to keep “international commitments”.

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Ali Bongo, the former president, had released a video after the coup was announced, calling for help and asking Gabonese to ‘make noise’. His whereabouts and fate remain largely unknown.

The former president had ruled Gabon for 14 years since 2009 after he took over after his father died and was re-elected for a third term before he was forced out from power.

Together, the Bongo family led Gabon for 56 years. Analysts have warned that the Nguema government is likely to be a continuation of the Bongo dynasty as he is close to the family and is known to be a cousin of Ali Bongo.

A presidential source told the BBC that the arrests made by the junta is for show.