The leader of a coup that ousted the ruling family of the central African nation of Gabon was sworn in as the interim president on Monday.
Gen. Brice Oligui Nguema, the leader of Gabon’s military junta, was sworn into office as the nation’s interim president days after he led a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo from power and ended the Bongo family’s 56-year rule over the country.
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Ali Bongo had been the country’s president since the death of his father Omar Bongo in 2009. Omar Bongo had ruled the country from 1967 until his death.
The coup came after a disputed presidential election in which Ali Bongo was declared the winner. Nguema’s junta declared the results of the election null, placed Ali Bongo under house arrest, and closed the nation’s borders.
The newly inaugurated president said the country would organize new elections that he said would be “free, transparent, credible and peaceful,” according to Reuters.
“When the people are crushed by their leaders … it’s the army that gives them back their dignity,” he said in a speech following his swearing-in. “People of Gabon, today the times of happiness that our ancestors dreamt of are finally coming.”
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The new leader of the African country also vowed to pass a new constitution through a referendum, free political prisoners, and welcome back exiles.
The coup in Gabon was the second to take place in Africa this year. In July, the military of Niger overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum.
