Gabon: Oligui Nguema holds meeting with opposition leader Ondo Ossa
(FILES) Head of Gabon's elite Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema (R), is decorated by Gabon Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie Bie Nze (L) in Libreville on August 16, 2023 during celebrations ahead of Gabon Independence day celebrated on August 17, 2023. The leaders of the coup in Gabon on August 30, 2023 named Republican Guard chief General Brice Oligui Nguema transitional president, according to a TV statement, after the military seized control in the wake of elections. (Photo by AFP)
The newly sworn-in Gabon’s military leader, Gen Brice Oligui Nguema held a meeting with the opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa in an effort to rebuild the country after former leader, Ali Bongo, was removed in a coup.
Mr Ossa was the main opposition in the election which was annulled when the military seized power last week.
The opposition leader boycotted Monday’s inauguration ceremony of Gen Nguema.
The meeting, according to analysts, is a way of seeking the backing of the opposition to chart a new path for the country.
Mr. Ossa provided no specifics, but stated that the conversations were centered on the transition and restoration of government institutions.
The coup appears to have some popular support but many are concerned about the future.
General Nguema has not stated a timetable for returning the country to civilian government.
Earlier, the Commission of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) bloc placed Gabon’s membership on suspension following last week’s military takeover.
The ECCAS leaders additionally mandated the immediate temporary transfer of the bloc’s headquarters from Gabonese capital Libreville to Equatorial Guinea’s capital Malabo, and “gave the transition a one-year deadline to organize elections.”
