30 August 2023 in the African country of Gabon
A military coup took place. President Ali Bongo Ondimba was ousted by his own personal security forces. At the same time, the coup forces named the head of the Presidential Guard, Bryce Clataire Oligui Nguemar, as the country’s new leader. On 4 September 2023, General Bryce Oligui Nguema took over as interim president. He was aide-de-camp to the ousted president’s father, Omar Bongo. In 2018, he was made the intelligence chief under the elite Republican Guard.
■ End of family rule > President Ali Bongo
The overthrow of Ondimba ended 56 years of family rule in Gabon. On 2 December 1967 his father Omar Bongo assumed power. Founded the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) on 12 March 1968. Died on 8 June 2009. On 16 October 2009 his son Ali Bongo Ondimba, then Minister of Defense, became President. President Ali Bongo Ondimba then won a third term in a disputed election on 26 August 2023. Bongo got 64.27% of the votes in the election and his nearest rival Albert Ondo got 30.77%.
■ Interim Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima, an opponent of ousted President Ali Bongo, was named Interim Prime Minister on 7 September 2023. Ndong Sima was the Prime Minister of the Bongo government from 27 February 2012 to 27 January 2014.
