In the aftermath of the coup that took place on August 30th, the military leaders in Gabon designated Raymond Ndong Sima, a notable adversary of the deposed President Ali Bongo Ondimba, as the interim prime minister.
Gabon’s military rulers on Thursday appointed Raymond Ndong Sima, a prominent opponent to ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba, as interim prime minister following the country’s coup on August 30.
Ndong Sima, a 68-year-old Paris-educated economist, served as prime minister under Bongo from 2012 to 2014 before becoming a critic and competing against him in the 2016 and 2023 presidential campaigns.
His appointment, announced on state TV, was made in a decree by the new strongman, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday.
In his inauguration speech, Oligui vowed to hold “free, transparent and credible elections” to restore civilian rule, but did not give a timeframe.
He also said he would soon announce a transitional government that drew on figures from across the political spectrum.
The country would also draw up a new constitution, drafted with representatives from all the key groups, which would be “more respectful of democracy and human rights” and submitted to a referendum, Oligui said.
Ndong Sima said he wanted to take time for “broad consultations… so that people belonging to all political families are included” in the government.
One of the issues facing the future government is the fate of the Bongo family.
Khalil Wakim, with AFP
