2023-09-01 18:31:22
« It’s not a coup, it’s a palace revolution fulminates Albert Ondo Ossa, leader of the Gabonese opposition interviewed by TV5 Monde. The probable winner of the Gabonese presidential election considers that the Bongo family is still in power, despite the fall of Ali Bongo on Wednesday August 30. He was overthrown by soldiers meeting in a “Committee for the transition and the restoration of institutions” (CTRI), a few minutes after the announcement of his re-election for a third term, following a fraudulent ballot.
Brice Oligui Nguema, head of the Republican Guard and mastermind of the putsch, must take his oath of ” transitional president Monday, September 4. But it would be, according to Albert Ondo Ossa, a simple “ underling », a straw man. ” Brice Oligui Nguema is Ali Bongo’s cousinhe points out. The Bongos found it necessary to put Ali Bongo aside (…) and Oligui Nguema forward. But the system continues, behind him is Pascaline Bongo.»
According to the specialized media Africa Intelligence, the new strongman of Gabon has always maintained a close link with Pascaline Bongo and the latter’s half-brother, the young Omar Denis Junior Bongo – also the grandson of Congolese President Denis Sassou- Nguesso. This scenario worthy of Borgia is not improbable as the family of the late despot Omar Bongo seems divided. But it is currently unsupported by any evidence. Those close to Pascaline have denied any involvement on her part with the Jeune Afrique media.
Pascaline and Ali, a silent rivalry
Pascaline, 67, was dictator Omar Bongo’s eldest daughter and favorite child of his recognized 54 children. A graduate of the ENA, she experienced a meteoric rise: adviser to her father’s cabinet, vice-president of Elf Gabon (now Total Gabon), Minister of Petroleum and Mines, then of Foreign Affairs from 1991 to 1994, before being recalled to the Palais du bord de mer as chief of staff to the president. She grew rich throughout her ascent before being indicted in France in the case of “ill-gotten gains”.
When Omar Bongo died in 2009, she was expected to succeed him. But his lifelong rival, Ali, was preferred to him by the all-powerful Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG). Designated universal legatee of the heritage of the “patriarch” with her half-brother, she was dispossessed of her quality of agent in 2014: at the request of Ali, according to Jeune Afrique.
Her younger brother then ousted her, in October 2019, from the post of High Representative of the President. An honorary title to which was attached a high-level lifestyle. This decision was, according to Africa Intelligence, inspired by Ali Bongo’s wife, Sylvia and their son Noureddin Bongo Valentin, whose influence and power have continued to grow within Gabonese power following the stroke of ‘Ali Bongo in 2018. A badly experienced rise in power among the caciques of the CEO, in particular those from Haut-Ogooué, the province of origin of Omar Bongo.
An internal clan purge
In the early hours of the putsch, relatives of the ousted president were arrested. His wife, Sylvia Bongo, placed under arrest. His son Nourredin, imprisoned in a secret place, is accused of ” massive embezzlement of public funds », « falsification of the signature of the President of the Republic » et « high treason ».
Six of the closest collaborators of Ali Bongo’s son – the “young guard” – were also arrested. Among them, his chief of staff Ian Ghislain Ngoulou, the president’s spokesman Jessye Ella Ekogha, the secretary general of the CEO Steeve Nzegho Dieko, and the deputy director of the presidential cabinet. All are suspected by the opposition of having been the ” true leaders » of the country since the return of convalescence of Ali Bongo in 2019.
Despite his suspicions, Albert Ondo Ossa still hopes that the military will recognize his ” victoire “in the presidential election and invites the Bongos to settle” their family problems ».
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