Gabon opposition calls for pressure on junta to hand power to civilians

Gabon’s main opposition group, Alternance 2023, on Friday, urged the international community to encourage the junta that overthrew President Ali Bongo to hand power back to civilians

Military officers seized power in a coup on Wednesday minutes after an announcement that Bongo had secured a third term in an election, ending his family’s nearly 60-year hold on power.

They placed him under house arrest and installed General Brice Nguema as transitional leader.

The coup – West and Central Africa’s eighth in three years drew cheering crowds onto the streets of the capital, Libreville.

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But the opposition, which says it is the rightful winner of Saturday’s election, has raised objections.

The Spokesperson for Alternance 2023 leader, Alexandra Pangha, told the BBC “We were happy that Ali Bongo was overthrown but … we hope that the international community will stand up in favour of the Republic and the democratic order in Gabon by asking the military to give back the power to the civilians.”

Pangha also said the junta’s plan to inaugurate Nguema as head of state on Monday was “absurd.”
Bongo was elected 2009, taking over from his late father who came to power in 1967. Opponents say the family did little to share Gabon’s oil and mining wealth.

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