General Nguema orchestrated a coup last Wednesday, ousting President Ali Bongo shortly after Bongo was declared the victor in a contested election. The coup was justified by military officers who pointed to a range of crises within the institutions, political sphere, economy, and society as their motivation.
Nonetheless, BBC reported that there are apprehensions that Gen Nguema’s leadership might represent a prolongation of the 55-year Bongo dynasty. The general spent a significant portion of his career within the Bongo family’s inner circle and is even believed to be a cousin of Ali Bongo.
