Central African Republic President Faustin Touadera met with Gabon’s junta-appointed leader in Libreville, the capital, on Tuesday. This meeting took place after the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) condemned the coup that occurred on August 30. ECCAS has suspended Gabon’s membership but has not yet imposed sanctions. This non-violent military coup marked the eighth coup in West and Central Africa in three years.
There were no statements made to the press following Touadera’s private meeting with General Brice Oligui Nguema, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday. Nguema’s appointment was celebrated by supporters as it ended the Bongo family’s 56-year reign. Touadera was in Libreville as a mediator between the junta and ECCAS, according to a source in the Gabonese presidential palace.
Nguema has pledged to form a new government for Gabon, an oil-producing nation, in the coming days. He has also promised to oversee free and fair elections. However, the duration of the transition to democracy has not been specified. It is worth noting that Albert Ondo Ossa, the leader of Gabon’s main opposition alliance, spoke with Nguema on Tuesday. Ossa expressed hope for a better future for Gabon, sharing a photo of their meeting.
Ondo Ossa’s opposition platform, Alternance 2023, asserts that he was the rightful winner of a recent election. The military took control shortly after President Ali Bongo was declared the winner, nullifying the results and deeming them invalid. Since being placed under house arrest during the coup, Bongo has not made many public statements apart from one video appeal for international support.
Written by Alessandra Prentice; Edited by Leslie Adler
Credit: The Star : News Feed
