Central Africa regional body suspends Gabon until return of constitutional order

The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) has suspended Gabon until the return of the constitutional order, few days after a junta led by the head of the national guards Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema removed incumbent leader Ali Bongo Ondimba.

The decision was made Monday September 4 during a meeting of the ECCAS leaders in Equatorial Guinea to address the coup in Gabon. The Summit coincided with the inauguration of Nguema named few hours after the coup as Gabon’s transitional President.

The junta deposed Ali Bongo on August 30 few moments after the country’s independent electoral Committee announced the leader winner of August 26 presidential elections. The junta which seized power argued that the results were rigged.

Nguema was sworn in on September 4 before the Constitutional Court as new transitional leader. The duration of the transition has not been spelled out. “Here and now, I solemnly pledge to spare no effort to ensure that, at the end of this transition, our country, Gabon, is endowed with strong, democratic and credible institutions,” he promised.

The new leader also promised constitutional reforms adding that a new Constitution must be drawn up for Gabon, guaranteeing the establishment of more democratic institutions. “We want the people to adopt it by referendum”.

The African Union has also suspended the central African country and demanded a return to civilian-led State.