2023-09-10 21:57:19
Raymond Ndong Sima, the transitional prime minister of Gabon, in Libreville, September 10. – / AFP
A delay of two years before the free elections promised in Gabon by the soldiers who overthrew President Ali Bongo is a “reasonable purpose”, estimated Sunday September 10 to Agence France-Presse the transitional Prime Minister. On August 30, the army overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power for fourteen years, a few moments after he was proclaimed re-elected after an election deemed fraudulent by the military and the opposition. General Brice Oligui Nguema, proclaimed president of the transition, immediately promised to return power to civilians through elections at the end of a period whose duration he did not announce.
“It is good to start with a reasonable objective by saying: we want to see the process completed in twenty-four months so that we can return to elections”said Raymond Ndong Sima, a civilian appointed prime minister Thursday by the military, adding that this period could be “slightly higher or lower”. Mr. Ndong Sima, 68, was appointed head of the transitional government by General Oligui Nguema. He was previously one of the tenors of the opposition to Mr. Bongo.
The coup d’état of August 30 took place in a few moments and without bloodshed, all the commanders of the army and police having gathered behind General Oligui. The putschist soldiers, who enjoy the support of a very large majority of the population and the opposition, claim to have acted to “preserving human lives” after a contested election and to end the “poor governance” and the « corruption » of which they accuse the Bongo clan.
“Impartial arbiters”
On Saturday, Mr. Ndong Sima announced the composition of his government appointed by General Oligui, which includes former ministers of the deposed president, members of the former opposition and figures from civil society previously hostile to Mr. Bongo and his family, who had ruled the country for over fifty-five years.
The transition charter put in place by the military prohibits members of the provisional government from running in the next elections, including Mr. Ndong Sima, but does not explicitly exclude that General Oligui could then run for the presidency. The latter also promised a new Constitution which will be adopted by referendum and a new electoral code, with the participation of “all the vital forces of the nation”.
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“The announced principle” by the military, “there is no longer any opposition or majority, so we take people from all political families”commented the Prime Minister. “People who go (…) prepare different texts, will discuss this aspect of things, that is to say the duration [de la transition] and who is truly authorized to present themselves and not to present themselves”explained M. Ndong Sima. “It would not be good for the military to present themselves, so that they can be impartial and objective arbiters of the election”he said, however.
The question of the autonomy and room for maneuver of the civilian government arises to the extent that General Oligui Nguema has designated, for the presidency of the transition as well as within the military committee which forms his close team, officers responsible for most of the same sectors as Mr. Ndong Sima’s ministers. “It is not new to have alongside the president heads of departments who ensure the interface between the president and the ministerial departments”nuanced Mr. Ndong Sima.
“Will I have my hands free? I can’t know at the moment, it will depend on what the military wants to achieve.”he said, adding that ” it’s them (…) who will take stock of what we are going to do.”
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