Leader of Gabon’s military junta, General Oligui Nguema, who was officially inaugurated in a ceremony that took place in the capital city of Libreville on Monday, September 4, 2023.
This investiture occurred less than a week after the former head of the Republican Guard spearheaded the ousting of President Ali Bongo Ondimba from power.
The event, held at the National Palace, witnessed the presence of key figures, including security chiefs, former government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and other significant stakeholders.
During the ceremony, the president took his oath of office before delivering his inaugural speech. In his address, he provided justifications for the coup and pledged a return to civilian rule through elections, although he did not specify any concrete dates or timelines.
Following his speech, General Nguema was joined on stage by his wife, daughter, and father, who congratulated him. Videos available on GhanaWeb showed him sharing hugs and kisses with his wife and embracing his mother.
When it came to his father, he rendered a formal salute, to which his father responded by removing his cap. The two then embraced, following a traditional Francophone gesture where they gently tapped their heads together.
While the inauguration was taking place, leaders from the regional political bloc convened in Equatorial Guinea.
Gabon had been suspended from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) following an extraordinary heads of state summit.
The bloc not only denounced the coup but also made the decision, effective immediately, to relocate its headquarters from the Gabonese capital to Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea.
You can watch the video of the junta leader with his wife and parents by following this link.