Gabon's Coup: Who is Col. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema? - Military Takes Over Power, Puts Republican Guard Colonel in Charge

AFRICA — After taking over power in Gabon, the country’s military has appointed Col. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, head of the Republican Guards, to lead the transition.

But who is the man at the centre of the coup?

Col. Nguema, a son of a military officer, trained at the Royal Military Academy of Meknes, in Morocco, and served as an "aide-de-camp" to a commander in former President Omar Bongo’s Republican Guard. When Omar Bongo’s son Ali Bongo became the president in October 2009, Col. Nguema was sent to Morocco and Senegal for diplomatic missions. A decade later, he took over as the head of the guard.

However, Col. Nguema is an enigmatic figure in the country that remains one of the most influential in Gabon. According to local media reports, Col. Nguema was seen as entrepreneurial and believed to be a millionaire in Gabonese circles. He invested in real estate, buying three properties in middle- and working-class neighbourhoods in the Maryland suburbs of Hyattsville and Silver Spring, just outside the capital in 2015 and 2018, paying a total of over $1m in cash. When asked by reporters about these properties, he said it was a private matter and should be respected.

The military takeover comes amid claims of irregularities in the recently held presidential election, in which opposition candidate Ondo Ossa scored 30% against incumbent Ali Bongo's 64.27%. The coup indicates that the Gabonese military is not happy with the alleged fraud and irregularities happening in the country.

What implications does the coup have for democracy in Gabon?

The military takeover in Gabon raises questions about the level of democracy and electoral transparency in African countries. African leaders should learn from the situation in Gabon and ensure that future elections are conducted transparently, with clear accountability and checks and balances.

Additionally, leaders should listen to the concerns of their citizens and respect democratic institutions, rather than attempting to undermine them for their political gain.

African countries must strive for better democratic governance and safeguard the rule of law to create prosperous and stable societies. Ultimately, democracy is the cornerstone of African countries' development, and leaders must work towards ensuring free and fair elections to create transparent, responsible, and accountable governments.