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Gabon celebrates one year since coup that ended Bongo rule, junta pledges reforms

Gabon celebrates one year since coup that ended Bongo rule junta pledges reforms
People reacted during the celebrations to mark the first anniversary of the ouster of President Ali Bongo, in Libreville, Gabon, August 30, 2024. Credits: REUTERS/Gerauds Wilfried Obangome

A year after Gabon’s military coup brought an end to the Bongo family’s 56-year rule, the nation celebrated the anniversary with festivities and vows from the ruling junta to accelerate reform efforts.

The coup, which deposed President Ali Bongo, was widely supported by the Gabonese people, who had grown frustrated with the mismanagement of the country’s oil resources, leaving the economy stagnant and nearly a third of the population in poverty.

In the heart of Libreville on Friday, hundreds gathered for celebrations led by interim president General Brice Oligui Nguema, marking the first anniversary of what many call the “coup of liberation” in Gabon.

“The Gabonese have cried so much. He (Nguema) came to wipe away our tears.

“And today we’re happy,” said civil servant Edwige Bengone, donning a t-shirt featuring the coup leader’s image as brass bands played and crowds cheered.

A year after the coup, Gabon’s economic future remains unclear, and the ruling junta has not set a date for the promised democratic transition. Despite this, some supporters, like student Ulrich Yebe, expressed cautious optimism.

“We can’t judge much in just one year, but based on the progress so far, it seems they’re heading in the right direction. We’re waiting to see the results at the end of the transition,” he stated.

Gabon faces major hurdles despite its oil wealth, with poor infrastructure, heavy reliance on food imports, and a lower per capita income than in the 1970s.

The ruling junta, known as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, has initiated efforts to improve transparency and manage the budget better.

However, the International Monetary Fund cautioned in May that a stronger economic outlook hinges on shifting to a more inclusive governance model, economic diversification, and addressing fiscal imbalances.

 

OBSTACLES AWAIT

Gabon is grappling with major obstacles, including inadequate infrastructure despite its substantial oil reserves, heavy reliance on food imports, and a lower per capita income compared to the 1970s.

The ruling junta, known as the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions, has made efforts to boost transparency and manage the budget better.

However, according to a May report by the International Monetary Fund, the country’s economic recovery hinges on the government’s ability to shift towards more inclusive governance, diversify the economy, and address fiscal imbalances.

Geoffroy Foumboula, a leading critic of the Bongo regime and now a key figure in the national assembly, expressed disappointment in the junta’s reform efforts, stating, “After a year, the restoration of institutions is the poor relation of the transition. On this front, we’re still very slow.”

He emphasized that not enough progress had been made in reforming the branches of government as promised.

In response to such concerns, Nguema, in a televised address this week, seemed to directly address the frustrations regarding the speed of progress.

Remadji Hoinathy, a senior researcher at the Africa-focused Institute for Security Studies, pointed out various criticisms of the junta, including the military’s dominance in the national dialogue, the lack of

clear timeline for presidential elections, and uncertainty regarding whether junta members will be allowed to run.

“On the ground, Nguema has actually been quite skilful,” he observed, noting the junta’s outreach to opposition factions and civil society.

“But the reality in Gabon is that it’s very difficult, changing things overnight.” Nguema, addressing concerns in his speech, said, “Our work together is not finished. But it is well underway. We have initiated change. And we must continue on this path.”

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