Gabon’s formidable leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, recently welcomed the nation’s newly appointed interim prime minister, Raymond Ndong Sima, to the Presidential Palace in Libreville. General Nguema entrusted Ndong Sima with the crucial task of proposing a government lineup to pave the way for a transitional period.
In response to his appointment, Ndong Sima expressed his commitment to delivering a proposed government roster to General Nguema within a mere three to four days. He emphasized his dedication to following the roadmap laid out by the military, which focuses on the restoration of all vital institutions, particularly those related to the electoral framework.
Furthermore, Ndong Sima stressed the importance of broad consultations during this transitional phase, aiming to ensure representation from all political spectrums within the government. His appointment, announced via state television, was formalized through a decree issued by the newly installed interim president, General Brice Oligui Nguema, who took office on Monday.
During his inauguration speech, General Nguema pledged to facilitate “free, transparent, and credible elections” as a means to reestablish civilian governance. However, he refrained from specifying a concrete timeline for these elections. Additionally, he announced plans to establish a transitional government composed of individuals representing diverse political backgrounds.
Notably, the nation is also set to embark on drafting a new constitution, with participation from key stakeholders, aiming to uphold democratic principles and human rights. This constitution will be subjected to a referendum, as stated by General Nguema.
Raymond Ndong Sima, a 68-year-old economist educated in Paris, previously served as prime minister under the late President Bongo from 2012 to 2014. Subsequently, he transitioned into a critic of the regime and even contested the presidential elections in 2016 and 2023. President Bongo, who assumed office in 2009 following the passing of his father Omar, faced criticism for his lengthy rule marked by allegations of corruption.
Despite being re-elected in 2016 amid contentious official results, President Bongo’s hold on power weakened after suffering a stroke two years later. On August 30, General Oligui and the elite Republican Guard detained Bongo, along with his wife and son, shortly after his victory was declared in the recent presidential election.
It’s noteworthy that Ndong Sima initially campaigned against President Bongo but subsequently united with a joint opposition candidate, academic Albert Ondo Ossa, just before the election. Ondo Ossa garnered approximately 30.77 percent of the vote, while President Bongo secured 64.27 percent—an outcome contested by the opposition as questionable.
In recent statements, Ndong Sima emphasized the need for dialogue with the military during this transitional period. He also stressed that the return to civilian rule should not exceed a two-year timeframe and expressed his interest in participating in the upcoming presidential elections, emphasizing the importance of excluding military candidates from the electoral process.
