(Libreville) A delay of two years before the free elections promised in Gabon by the soldiers who overthrew President Ali Bongo is a “reasonable objective”, the transitional prime minister told AFP on Sunday.
On August 30, the army overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power for 14 years, moments after he was declared re-elected after an election deemed fraudulent by the military and the opposition.
General Brice Oligui Nguema, proclaimed President of the transition, immediately promised to return power to civilians through elections at the end of a period of which he did not announce the duration.
“It is good to start with a reasonable objective by saying: we would like to see the process completed in 24 months so that we can return to elections”, declared Raymond Ndong Sima, civilian appointed Prime Minister last Thursday by the military, adding that this period could be “slightly higher or lower”.
Mr. Ndong Sima, 68, was appointed head of the transitional government by General Oligui Nguema. He was previously one of the tenors of the opposition to Mr. Bongo.
The August 30 coup took place in a matter of moments and without bloodshed, with all the army and police commanders rallying behind General Oligui.
The putschist soldiers, who enjoy the support of a very large majority of the population and the opposition, claim to have acted to “preserve human lives” after a fraudulent election and to put an end to “bad governance” and ” corruption” of which they accuse the Bongo clan.
On Saturday, Mr. Ndong Sima announced the composition of his government appointed by General Oligui, and which includes former ministers of the ousted president, members of the former opposition and personalities from civil society previously hostile to Mr. Bongo and his family, who had ruled the country for over 55 years.
PHOTO MARY ALTAFFER, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Ali Bongo Ondimba, in power for 14 years, was overthrown by the army on August 30. The Bongo family has ruled the country for more than 55 years.
The Transition Charter put in place by the military prohibits members of the provisional government from running in the next elections, including Mr. Ndong Sima, but does not explicitly exclude that General Oligui could then run for the presidency.
The latter also promised a new Constitution which will be adopted by referendum and a new electoral code, with the participation of “all the living forces of the Nation”.
“The principle announced” by the military, “is that there is no longer any opposition or majority, so we take people from all political families”, commented the Prime Minister.
“People who go […] prepare different texts, will discuss this aspect of things, that is to say the duration [de la transition]and who is truly authorized to present themselves and not to present themselves,” explained Mr. Ndong Sima.
“It would not be good for the military to present themselves, so that they can be impartial and objective arbiters of the election,” he nevertheless estimated.
Hands free ?
The appointment by General Oligui Nguema, to the Presidency of the Transition as well as within the military committee which forms his close team, of officers in charge of most of the same sectors as Mr. Ndong Sima’s ministers raises the question of autonomy and room for maneuver for its civil government.
“It is not new to have alongside the president [du Gabon] heads of departments who ensure the interface between the president and the ministerial departments,” clarified Mr. Ndong Sima.
“Will I have my hands free? That, I cannot know at the moment, we will see” and “it will depend on what the military want to obtain”, he estimated, adding: “If they want to obtain a satisfactory result, it will be in their interest to leave their hands free to those they have called.”
Especially since “it’s them […] who will take stock of what we are going to do”, so “it is in the interest of the military to give those they call the opportunity to work and achieve results”, he affirmed.
Mr. Ndong Sima, who indicated to AFP on September 4 that he was “interested” in the next elections, assured that “the situation in the country requires that everyone makes a small compromise on their own position.”
Even if it means giving up the presidential election?
“You know I usually say that the future belongs to God,” he replied.