Gabon military government appoints interim prime minister

Mr Raymond Ndong Sima, 68, previously served as Prime Minister under Mr Bongo from 2012 to 2014.

Mr. Raymond Ndong Sima. Photo: Bloomberg

He later became a critic and ran against Mr Bongo in elections in 2016 and 2023.

Also on Thursday (September 7), a mediator from a regional economic bloc said the military government was ready to outline a “roadmap” to return to diplomacy.

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) suspended Gabon earlier this week. But it has since sent an envoy, Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadera, to the capital Libreville for talks with the coup leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema.

AFP news agency quoted a regime official as saying that on September 7, Mr. Touadera and Mr. Nguema agreed to outline a detailed plan.

Under Mr Nguema’s leadership, the military seized power, annulling the results of the recent presidential election, just minutes after Mr Bongo was announced the winner. Mr Bongo has ruled the country since 2009. His father, Omar Bongo, ruled before him for 42 years.

The military government also said in a statement that Mr Bongo was free to travel abroad for medical checks if he wanted to. No details were given about the health of the deposed president, who has been under house arrest since the August 30 coup.

In addition to ECCAS, a UN representative also met with Mr Nguema on September 6, requesting support from UN agencies as the country transitions back to constitutional order.

Mr Nguema was sworn in as interim President of Gabon earlier on Monday (September 4).

Hoang Ton (according to AFP, DW)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/chinh-quyen-quan-su-gabon-bo-nhiem-thu-tuong-lam-thoi-post263747.html