The leader of the Gabon coup junta, Brice Nguema was this morning sworn in as the nation’s interim president.
General Nguema led last Wednesday’s coup against Ali Bongo, toppling the president shortly after he was named winner of a widely disputed election.
Crowds of cheering civilians turned up at his inauguration – a sign there is some support for the military.
However, there are concerns Gen Nguema’s rule will be a continuation of the 55-year Bongo dynasty as he is a cousin of the ousted Bongo and has spent a better part of his career in the inner caucus of the government.
Ali Bongo’s father, Omar, was in power for 41 years before he died in 2009 and was succeeded by his son.
A military parade was held at Monday’s inauguration, which took place at the presidential palace in Gabon’s capital, Libreville.
Sympathisers of the new military leadership attended the ceremony. Former ministers from the ousted government also showed up, but were booed by a crowd of junta sympathisers.
The new head of state was in church on Sunday as part of the inauguration ceremony.
The inauguration is the latest in a series of takeovers across West and Central Africa.
Gabon is the sixth Francophone country to fall under military rule in the last three years as former colonial power France struggles to maintain its influence on the continent.
Soon after the coup, Gabon wassuspended from the African Union. The action of the military has also been condemned by the UN and France.
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Gabon Coup Leader, Nguema Sworn in as President (video)