Gabon’s post-coup ruler, General Brice Oligui Nguema has appointed former opposition leaders and stalwarts of the removed regime to both houses of parliament.
Nguema, proclaimed president for a transition period, led a bloodless coup d'etat against President Ali Bongo Ondimba on August 30.
Moments earlier, Bongo—whose family had ruled the country of West Africa for 55 years—had been proclaimed the victor of a presidential election that the army and the opposition had deemed invalid.
Without specifying a timeframe, Oligui has pledged to hold elections and return the nation to civilian governance following a transitional period.
He has established a large transitional cabinet led by Raymond Ndong Sima, an economist with a Parisian education who previously served as Bongo's prime minister from 2012 to 2014 before challenging him in the 2016 and 2023 presidential elections.
A proclamation from Oligui read out on state television, stated that Paulette Missambo, the leader of the National Union party and one of Bongo's main opponents in the election, would chair the new Senate.
The speaker of the interim National Assembly will be Jean-Francois Ndongou, who served in several ministerial capacities throughout the decades that the Bongo family was in power.
Each house chose four vice presidents, including civil society leaders, politicians who backed and opposed Bongo, and army personnel.
Additionally, 50 senators and 70 members of the parliament are anticipated to be chosen by Oligui.
Ndong Sima's new administration includes former ministries and military leaders who worked under ousted president Ali Bongo Ondimba, but none of the opposition leaders.
A new electoral code and constitution, to be ratified by referendum, are other promises made by Oligui.
