Gabon’s military leadership have reopened the country’s borders ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of its new general, Brice Oligui Nguema, who is due to be sworn in as “president of the transition” on Monday.
The group known as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, which is in charge now, announced that they have immediately reopened the country’s land, sea, and air borders with immediate effect.
The spokesperson for Gabon’s military rulers, speaking on state TV, announced that the border reopening signifies their commitment to upholding the law, ensuring stability and maintaining good relationships with neighbouring countries.
He added that the curfew imposed by CTRI has been lifted for travellers, allowing them to move freely during the night.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, the head of the elite Republican Guard, on Wednesday, Aug.
30, led officers in a coup against President Ali Bongo Ondimba, scion of a family that had ruled for 55 years.
President Ali Bongo, 64, was placed under house arrest after an election in which he secured a third term– a result branded a fraud by the opposition.
The recent coup in the former French colony marks the ninth in sub-Saharan Africa over the last three years.
This incident comes shortly after a coup in Niger just a month ago.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, speaking to more than 200 Gabonese business leaders at the Presidency of the Republic, has also issued strong warnings to those involved in corruption.
In a speech broadcast in its entirety on Friday on the state television channels, General Oligui mentioned that some companies had been overcharging, and government services would investigate to return these excess charges to the State.
He questioned their dedication to the country’s development and said he would no longer tolerate this situation.
