Gabon’s navy chief Gen Brice Oligui Nguema has introduced his intention to run for president in subsequent month’s election.
Nguema seized energy in 2023 in a coup that ended the long-standing rule of the Bongo household. He then pledged handy over energy to civilians.
The nation has nonetheless since handed a brand new structure and electoral code that critics argue have been designed to favour a bid for the presidency by the junta chief.
Nguema advised the Gabonese folks on Monday that he had determined to run within the 12 April election “after cautious reflection and in response to your many appeals”.
Addressing supporters throughout a heavy downpour within the capital, Libreville, he declared his readiness to alter the fortunes of the oil-rich nation.
“I’m a builder and I want your braveness, your energy, to construct this nation,” the the coup chief, who had simply turned 50, mentioned.
The announcement adopted months of hypothesis about his intentions to formally occupy the nation’s prime seat.
On Saturday, Nguema advised the navy in a gathering that he was conscious of their need to see him run within the election and urged them to vote.
He advised the defence forces he had heard their calls. “I listened to you and, imagine me, I understood you,” including, “I’ll get again to you inside the subsequent few days”.
There was hypothesis that Nguema had left the military, as a requirement to run for the presidency – however that has since been denied by his spokesman.
A Fb web page related to Nguema clarified on Monday that he was required to desert his navy uniform quickly whereas working for election.
The web page, Infos CTRI Officiel, mentioned that he must completely depart the navy if he received the election. “If he isn’t elected, he’ll return to the barracks,” it mentioned.
The Nguema-led junta is credited for ending 55 years of the Bongo dynasty.
Ali Bongo had dominated for 14 years earlier than he was toppled. He took workplace after the demise of his father, Omar Bongo, who had been president for 41 years.
Final month, the president of neighbouring Equatorial Guinea, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, inspired the Gabonese folks to help Nguema for a greater future for his or her nation.
Some opposition and civil society teams in Gabon have nonetheless been urging the navy chief to honour his phrase and depart energy to civilians after the transition.
Regardless of Gabon’s oil wealth and huge forests, one third of its 2.4 million folks dwell beneath the poverty line, based on the UN.
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