Gabon’s strongman names ex-Premier as transitional Prime Minister

Brice Oligui Nguema, President of the transition in Gabon and head of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), named Thursday Raymond Ndong Sima, a former Prime Minister, as the transitional Premier of the central African country.

The 68-year old is not new to Gabonese. He submitted his bid for August 26 presidential elections but later pulled out in favor of Albert Ondo Ossa, the unique candidate of a grouping of opposition parties.

He also held the position from 2012 to 2014 under the regime of ex-leader Ali Bongo and later became a rival during 2016 disputed elections. The appointment came following his resignation from the coalition of the opposition. He offered his services to the CTRI.

The committee for transition led by Gen. Nguema deposed on August 30 Ali Bongo few hours after the latter was declared winner of the elections. The junta claimed the polls were rigged and the results cooked.

At the inauguration ceremony, the new leader promised constitutional reforms adding that a new Constitution must be drawn up for Gabon, guaranteeing the establishment of more democratic institutions but stopped short to provide a timeline for the transition.