Nigeria on Monday called for the immediate return to democratic constitutional order in Gabon.
Gabonese General, Brice Nguema, who last week led a coup ending 55 years of rule by the Bongo dynasty, was sworn in on Monday as interim president.
“I swear before God and the Gabonese people to faithfully preserve the republican regime,” said Oligui, who has pledged to hold elections after a still-unspecified transition period.
However, Nigeria, in a statement signed by the Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Francisca Omayuli, said coups d’etat only serve to compound rather than address any perceived problems.
It also stated that the coup in Gabon is not acceptable, adding that it is committed to partnering with other democratically elected governments in Africa to sanction perpetrators of unconstitutional change of government.
The statement read, “The Federal Government of Nigeria has observed with concern the unfolding political developments in the Republic of Gabon, following the coup d’etat that ousted the Administration of President Ali Bongo Ondimba on 30th August, 2023.
“The inauguration of the Commandant In-Chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard, Gen. Brice Olingui Nguema as Chairman of the Ruling Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions on Monday, 4th September, 2023, with no indication of a transition programme in place, only serves to fan the embers of growing discontent among the political class in the country
“Nigeria, therefore, joins the larger international community to call for the immediate return to democratic constitutional order, which will go a long way to pacify dissident voices and restore trust and confidence to the electorate. Coups d’etat only serve to compound rather than address any perceived problems.
“The coup d’etat in Gabon is therefore, one coup too many in Africa and it is unacceptable at a time when Africa is aspiring to consolidate on democracy and democratic principles for the attainment of United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria is committed to partnering with other democratically elected governments in Africa to sanction perpetrators of unconstitutional change of government in line with the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, until democracy is given the chance to thrive in every African country for the good of its peoples.”
