By Milcah Tanimu
Despite widespread condemnation from other African leaders, Gabon’s junta is set to inaugurate its leader, Gen. Brice Nguema, as the “transitional president” on Monday, September 4, 2023. The junta made this announcement, stating that the inauguration would take place at the constitutional court.
Gabon’s main opposition party, the Alternance 2023 coalition, is calling on the junta to declare its presidential candidate, Albert Ondo Ossa, as the winner of the Saturday, August 26 election in the country.
However, in response to the political developments in Gabon and amid international condemnation, the African Union took action after its Peace and Security Council meeting on Thursday, August 31, 2023. The organization decided to suspend Gabon’s membership, stating that it would “suspend the participation of Gabon in all activities of its organs and institutions.” This decision was made during a meeting chaired by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Bankole Adeoye, and the current holder of the council’s rotating chair, Burundi’s Nyamitwe.
Additionally, Central Africa’s political bloc, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), has condemned the removal of President Ali Bongo Ondimba. The ECCAS called for an “imminent meeting” of heads of state to determine how to respond to the situation but did not specify a date for this meeting.
It’s worth noting that there has been a relatively subdued reaction from the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) due to concerns about the potential spread of coups in the region, particularly among countries with similar regimes to the Bongo dynasty.
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