Demonstrations took place across Gabon on Wednesday, August 30, hours after the military said it had overthrown President Ali Bongo and nullified the results of general elections, which had earlier declared him the winner.
Cheered on by hundreds of soldiers in the capital, Libreville, General Brice Oligui Nguema, the head of the Republican Guard, has the potential to become the country's new strongman. He spoke in an exclusive interview with Le Monde.
Do you see yourself as Gabon's new head of state?
I am not declaring myself yet, I am not considering anything at the moment. It is a debate we will have with all the generals. We will be meeting at 2 pm [local time]. The aim will be to reach a consensus. Everyone will put forward ideas, and the best ones will be retained, along with the name of the person who will lead the transition.
Had this coup been prepared for a long time, or was it the proclamation of the August 26 election results, declaring Ali Bongo the winner, that prompted you to act?
You know that in Gabon, there is discontent and, beyond this discontent, there is the illness of the head of state [Ali Bongo suffered a stroke in October 2018 that left him weakened]. Everyone is talking about it, but nobody is taking responsibility. He had no right to serve a third term; the constitution was disregarded, and the election method, in itself, was not good. So the army has decided to turn the page and live up to its responsibilities.
What will happen to Ali Bongo?
He is a Gabonese head of state. He is retired and enjoys all his rights. He is a normal Gabonese, like everyone else.
Can you confirm that he is under house arrest at his home in Libreville?
I cannot tell you. You will find out as we go along.
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.