A delay of two years before the free elections promised in Gabon by the soldiers who overthrew President Ali Bongo is a “reasonable objective”, the transitional Prime Minister told Agence France-Presse on Sunday September 10. On August 30, the army overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power for fourteen years, moments after he was proclaimed re-elected in 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’s 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 who was appointed prime minister on 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 “preserve human lives” after a contested election and to put an end to “bad governance” and “ corruption” of which they accuse the Bongo clan.

“Impartial Arbitrators”

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 civil society figures 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 General Oligui from running for president. The latter also promised a new Constitution which will be adopted by referendum and a new electoral code, with the participation of “all the living forces of the nation”.

“The principle announced” by the military “is that there is no longer any opposition or majority, so we are taking people from all political families,” commented the Prime Minister. “The people who will (…) prepare different texts, will discuss this aspect of things, that is to say the duration [of the transition] and who is really authorized to present themselves and not to present themselves” , explained Mr. 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 nevertheless estimated.

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,” clarified Mr. Ndong Sima.

“Will I have my hands free?” I can’t know right now, it will depend on what the military wants to get,” he said, adding that “it’s them (…) who will take the toll on what we’re going to do. TO DO “.