The leader of the revolution that ousted Ali Bongo, the president of Gabon, says he doesn't want to rush into elections that "repeat past mistakes" as calls for the restoration of a civilian government rise.Read Full Article
General Brice Oligui Nguema's military officers took over the country on Wednesday immediately after it was declared that Bongo had won a third term in elections.
The officers put Bongo under house arrest and installed Nguema as president, ending the Bongo family's 56-year rule.
The country's capital, Libreville, was filled with celebratory crowds following the eighth coup in three years in West and Central Africa, as well as local and international condemnation.
"Our goal is to advance as swiftly but steadily as we can. Moving as swiftly as possible does not entail holding elections in a hurry where we'll end up making the same mistakes, where the same individuals will remain in power, and it all boils down to the same thing, said Nguema in a televised address on Friday night.
The Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), a regional group, has asked allies, including the African Union and the United Nations, to help a swift restoration of constitutional order, it said in a statement after an extraordinary meeting on Thursday. It said it would reconvene on Monday.