Coup leaders declared on Gabon’s state TV that Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema had been chosen as the president of a transition group to lead the country. Oligui is President Bongo’s cousin. Earlier on Wednesday, Bongo, who had been in power for 55 years along with his late father, was announced as the winner of the recent presidential election.
“Detained President Appeals for Support, Celebration in the Streets as Gabon Greets Coup”
President Bongo, detained at his residence, urged people to back him with noise, but the crowds in the capital rejoiced over the coup against a dynasty accused of benefiting from the nation’s resources while its citizens faced difficulties.
“Thank you, army. We’ve waited long for this moment,” cheered Yollande Okomo, standing among republican guard members involved in the takeover.
“Oligui also led the secret service in 2019 before heading the Republican Guard.”
“At 64, Ali Bongo Ondimba has governed for two terms since taking over in 2009 following his father’s 41-year rule, but his leadership has faced widespread dissatisfaction.”
“In 2019, another group of rebellious soldiers tried a coup, but their attempt was swiftly defeated.”
Coup leaders declared a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., yet permitted unrestricted movement during Thursday’s daytime.
“The transition’s president emphasizes the importance of maintaining calm and serenity in our wonderful nation… As a new era begins, we will ensure Gabon’s cherished peace, stability, and respect,” stated Lt. Col. Ulrich Manfoumbi on state TV Wednesday.
Oligui also led the secret service in 2019 before heading the Republican Guard.”
“At 64, Ali Bongo Ondimba has governed for two terms since taking over in 2009 following his father’s 41-year rule, but his leadership has faced widespread dissatisfaction.”
“In 2019, another group of rebellious soldiers tried a coup, but their attempt was swiftly defeated.”
“As a former French colony, Gabon is part of OPEC+. However, most of its oil riches are controlled by a small group. In 2020, nearly 40% of Gabon’s youth aged 15 to 24 were unemployed, says the World Bank. In 2022, the country earned $6 billion from oil exports, as reported by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.”
“Accusations of Wrongdoing
A French NGO named Sherpa has revealed that nine members of the Bongo family are currently being investigated in France. Some of them are facing preliminary charges of embezzlement, money laundering, and other forms of corruption. These investigations have connected the family to over $92 million worth of properties in France, including two villas in Nice.
The coup leaders’ spokesperson stated that Bongo’s governance was “unpredictable and irresponsible,” posing a risk of driving the nation into chaos. In a subsequent announcement, the coup leaders claimed that people close to the president were arrested for serious offenses such as betraying state institutions, widespread embezzlement of public funds, and international financial misconduct.
Experts cautioned that this coup could result in instability and might be more about divisions within the ruling class than actual efforts to better the lives of ordinary Gabonese citizens. Sherpa, the NGO, noted that while the Bongo family had been linked with exploiting state revenues systematically, these recent events don’t guarantee a positive shift towards good governance and democratic transition.
This coup occurred about a month after a similar incident in Niger, where mutinous soldiers overthrew the democratically elected government. It’s part of a series of coups seen across West and Central Africa in recent years. Maja Bovcon, a senior analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a risk assessment firm, suggested that the impunity enjoyed by previous coup leaders could have motivated the soldiers behind this Gabonese coup.
During the weekend’s elections, President Bongo faced off against an opposition coalition led by Albert Ondo Ossa, an economics professor and former education minister. Shortly after Bongo was declared the winner, gunshots echoed in the capital, Libreville. Following this, a group of uniformed soldiers appeared on state television, announcing their successful seizure of power.
While Libreville, the capital, is known for its opposition stronghold, it’s unclear how this coup was perceived in rural areas where more people typically support Bongo.