In the course of the inauguration of Africa’s latest coup leader in the Gabonese capital, Libreville, the late Jerry John Rawlings, a two-time coup leader who later became a democratic president of Ghana, was referenced.
General Oligui Nguema, the leader of the Gabonese military junta, was formally inaugurated in Libreville on Monday, September 4, 2023.
This investiture occurred less than a week after the former head of the Republican Guard led the removal of President Ali Bongo Ondimba from power.
Before delivering his inaugural speech, the president took his oath of office, wherein he justified the coup and pledged a return to civilian rule through elections, although he did not provide specific dates or timelines.
In his address, he invoked a quote by JJ Rawlings to explain why the military had intervened on August 30 and assumed political authority.
Rawlings’ mention came after Oligui had paid tribute to Gabonese pro-democracy figures who had sacrificed their lives for their beliefs.
The junta leader stated: “As former Ghanaian President Jerry John Rawlings said, ‘When the people are crushed by their leaders, with the complicity of the judges, it is up to the army to give them their freedom’.”
He continued: “It is with this spirit that on August 30, 2023, like a meteorite in the dark night, the Defense and Security Forces of our country took their responsibilities by refusing the electoral coup which had just been announced by the Gabonese Elections Center following an outrageously biased electoral process.”
Security chief, past cabinet ministers, diplomats, and other important participants attended the event held at the National Palace.
Gabon suspended by ECCAS
Whiles the inauguration was ongoing, leaders of the regional political bloc were also meeting in Equatorial Guinea.
Gabon was suspended from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) after the extraordinary heads of state summit.
The bloc condemned the coup also decided effective immediately to move its headquarters from the Gabonese capital to Malabo, capital of Equatorial Guinea.