Gabon appoints transitional vice president

The transitional president, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, appointed Joseph Ovondo Berre to the post of vice president of the republic, reported Gabon Actu.

The publication notes that the new vice president is little known in Gabon. His social media profile states that he was an advisor to the CEO of the Energy and Water Company of Gabon (SEEG) and studied electrical engineering at the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon (INSA Lyon).

30 August Gabon Army announced about the deposition of the country’s President Ali Bongo shortly after the announcement of his victory in the presidential elections. Ali Bongo ruled Gabon for 14 years, his father for 42 years. The military annulled the election results, closed the borders and dissolved all existing government institutions. Key functionaries were arrested and Bongo was placed under house arrest.

The officers of the police, Republican Guard, regular army and air force who seized power called themselves the Committee for the Transition and Reconstruction of State Institutions. The African Union condemned the military coup in Gabon and suspended Gabon’s activities in the organization.

The new leader of Gabon, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguemou brought sworn in as transitional head of state on September 4. On September 7, ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba was released from house arrest and allowed to leave the country freely for medical treatment. His wife and son continue to be held on the fourth floor of the presidential palace. All of them are accused of treason.