Gabon's Power Shuffle: From Coup to Civilian Rule
Ali Bongo, former President of Gabon, and his family members have been released from hospital and are now no longer under detention.
It's been quite a rollercoaster ride for Gabon, as former President Ali Bongo Ondimba and his family have now set foot in Angola's bustling capital, Luanda. Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?
Remember when Ali Bongo was under house arrest in 2023, courtesy of a military coup? His son, on the other hand, was nabbed for allegedly committing high treason. Boy, times have changed since then.
The military coup took place shortly after President Bongo had just been reelected, with coup leaders citing institutional, political, economic, and social crises as their motivation. Real dramatic, huh?
Upon taking over, the coup leaders dismantled all the government institutions like a kid dismantles his siblings' Lego castle. You could say they weren't too keen on sharing power, eh?
Fast forward to today, and reports from the Angolan Presidency scattered across social media confirm the release of the Bongo family. They're chilling in Luanda now, thanks to the diplomatic moves by President Joao Lourenco of Angola, who also happens to be the President-in-Office of the African Union.
Intrigued? Here are some fascinating tidbits:
- After the coup, a transitional government emerged, led by General Brice Oligui Nguema, who was initially the coup leader.
- The transitional government organized elections to restore constitutional rule in Gabon.
- In the 2025 presidential election, General Nguema secured a landslide victory, bagging more than 90% of the votes.
- General Nguema was sworn in as the new president of Gabon in May 2025, officially bringing an end to the transitional period.
So there you have it, folks! Gabon's journey from coup to civilian rule under President Brice Oligui Nguema. Guess you can't keep a good man (or a country) down, eh?
Now, if you fancy some more engaging reads, check out these headlines:
*** You Can't Call Us Agents of Darkness - Matawalle Blasts Coup Mongers, Demands Arrest*** Economic Crisis: Igbo Will Not Support Any Coup Against Tinubu - Ohanaeze*** Sierra Leone President Speaks on Attempted Coup, Arrest of Plotters*** Wife of Gabon's Deposed President, Ali Bongo Sentenced to Prison*** Coup: France Withdraws First Batch of Troops from Niger After Fallout*** What Nigeria Has Enjoyed for 25 Years Worthy of Emulation - US Consul General Reveals
- In a completely different context, the Nigerian political landscape has been shrouded in controversy, with calls against any coup from the Ohanaeze, an Igbo socio-political group, citing the country's economic crisis and their unwillingness to support such action against political figures like Bola Tinubu, a notable figure in Naija's presidency and politics.
- In the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, discussions around war-and-conflicts have arisen in the Senate, with lawmakers debating the implications of external interventions and the impact on general-news, particularly in nations like Niger, which have recently experienced coup attempts and subsequent troop withdrawals from foreign allies.
- Amidst the ongoing political transition in Gabon, the newly installed President Brice Oligui Nguema is expected to work towards addressing the institutional, political, economic, and social crises that plagued the country prior to the coup, with hopes of restoring stability and boosting the country's image on a global scale.
- Given the aftermath of the Gabon coup and subsequent restoration of civilian rule, experts are now focusing on the country's future policies and potential for economic growth and development, with analysts anticipating a close collaboration between Gabon and major economic players, including Nigeria, under President Nguema's leadership.
