Gabonese coup leader appoints new parliament

General Brice Oligui Nguema, leader of the coup d’état in Gabon, has appointed the members of a new national assembly and senate for a transitional period before elections promised for an unknown date.

Army and police chiefs joined forces on August 30 to stage a bloodless coup, widely supported by politicians, civil society and the general public, after more than 55 years of Bongo family rule.

The new regime has pledged to organize free elections and return power to civilians at a date to be agreed during a “national dialogue”.

The army has stated that it hopes the elections will take place between April and June 2024.

“98 names of the new members of parliament on national television was read, including figures from opposition parties and some who supported deposed president Ali Bongo Ondimba,” according to reports.

The army had already set up a civilian government for the transition period, headed by Raymond Ndong Sima, who had previously been prime minister before becoming a leading opposition politician under Bongo.

The government is to work with a National Transition Council made up of army officers who have the same portfolios as the ministers.