The new leader of Gabon, Raymond Ndong Sima, told the BBC that the country should have new elections in the next two years. This comes after a recent military takeover. The group that took control promised a fair election, but didn’t say when. Sima said a plan for the timing will be made soon.
Sima became the temporary leader after General Brice Oligui Nguema led the coup against President Ali Bongo. Bongo had been in power since 2009, following his father’s long rule. The family had strong ties to France, which used to rule Gabon.
The coup has been criticized in Africa and the West, including France. Some people in Gabon were happy about the change but wondered if Nguema’s rule would be different from the past, since he was close to Bongo for most of his career.
Sima said the big change since the coup is that the military didn’t harm the people, and they promised to restore democratic rule. He explained that changing the influence of a family that ruled for over 50 years takes time.
Sima, who used to work under Bongo before running against him in elections, said he won’t pursue legal action against the former president, despite calls for Bongo to face corruption charges.
France investigated the Bongo family for seven years, finding many properties and luxury cars, before dropping the case in 2017. The family denied all the accusations.
Bongo was released from house arrest, and the junta said he could leave the country for medical reasons. He had received treatment in Morocco after a stroke in the past.
SOURCE:BBC