Gabon coup leader to be sworn in as interim president

Gabon’s military junta leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, is scheduled to take the oath as the country’s interim president.

Recall that the army toppled President Ali Bongo on Wednesday shortly after he was declared winner of a disputed election.

Supporters of the military leadership in Gabon are expected to attend the inauguration of Gen Nguema.

The mood in the country is calm but with heightened security.

The coup leader is said to be the cousin of ousted President Ali Bongo, raising doubts about whether this marks an end to the 55-year Bongo dynasty.

Gen Nguema has said he won’t rush to return the country to civilian rule, to avoid past mistakes.

The opposition has warned that the military shows no sign of handing back power.

Over the past three years, Gabon became the sixth French-speaking nation to experience a transition to military rule, highlighting France’s challenges in maintaining its influence on the African continent.