The opposition politician Ndong Sima has been appointed as interim head of government in Gabon. He was a political opponent of Bongo, who was overthrown a week ago – but was unsuccessful according to the election results.
After the military coup in Gabon, opposition politician Raymond Ndong Sima was appointed interim head of government in the Central African country. The new ruler Brice Oligui Nguema appointed the declared opponent of the ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba as transitional prime minister. This emerges from a decree read out on state television.
Opponents of the fallen Bongo
The 68-year-old economist is considered a vehement opponent of Bongo, who was overthrown a week ago. Although he served as head of government from 2012 to 2014, he later distanced himself from him due to allegations of poor governance. In the presidential elections of 2016 and this year, Ndong Sima ran as a challenger against Bongo – but unsuccessfully.
Military coup after controversial election victory
On Wednesday last week, the Central African country’s military deposed the long-time head of state after his controversial election victory. The military representatives justified the coup with a “serious institutional, political, economic and social crisis” in the country. Bongo was temporarily under house arrest. 48-year-old General Oligui was sworn in as Gabon’s interim president.