In the aftermath of Gabon’s electoral commission announcing President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s third term victory on Wednesday, a group of senior military officers declared a coup, annulling the election results. Local media reports identify Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema, the commander-in-chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard and a cousin to Bongo, as the leader behind the attempted coup. Subsequently, Nguema has been named as Gabon’s interim leader.
Here’s an overview of what is known about Brice Oligui Nguema:
**Powerful and Influential:**
Nguema holds a significant position of influence in Gabon. He is the son of a military officer and received training at the Royal Military Academy of Meknes in Morocco. He previously served as one of the “aides-de-camp” to a commander within the Republican Guard during the leadership of former President Omar Bongo. After Omar Bongo’s death in 2009, Nguema’s cousin, Ali Bongo, assumed power, and Nguema undertook diplomatic missions in Morocco and Senegal. Over the years, he ascended to become the head of the Gabonese Republican Guard, responsible for presidential security. Under his leadership, efforts were made to strengthen Gabon’s internal security systems, a move viewed by some as aimed at consolidating President Bongo’s grip on power.
**Diverse Roles:**
In addition to his military and diplomatic responsibilities, Nguema is known to have entrepreneurial interests and is reputed to be a millionaire in Gabonese circles. According to an investigation by The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) in 2020, Nguema invested in real estate in the United States, purchasing properties with substantial cash payments. Despite inquiries into these acquisitions, Nguema has maintained that such matters are private affairs deserving of respect.
**Political Views:**
In an interview with French newspaper Le Monde, Nguema expressed his views on the situation. He cited discontentment with the current leadership, especially due to President Ali Bongo’s health condition following a stroke in 2018. Nguema criticized the perceived violation of the constitution through Bongo’s third term and the flawed election process. He claimed that the military decided to act in response to these concerns and would meet to determine a successor to Bongo.
**Celebration Amid Uncertainty:**
As Gabonese soldiers have initiated celebrations in support of Nguema, unverified videos and images circulated on social media portray soldiers dancing with him, dubbing him as Gabon’s “next strongman.” These events occur while President Bongo remains under house arrest following the disputed election.
The unfolding situation in Gabon reflects the complexities and tensions in the nation’s political landscape, with the military’s actions triggering uncertainty about the country’s future direction.
