Gabon’s opposition demands coup leader concede victory

By Damilola Adeleke

Gabon’s main opposition group, Alternance 2023, has criticized the military junta’s swearing-in of General Brice Oligui Nguema, calling it absurd. The opposition group is calling for the military to hand power back to civilians and conduct a full vote count from the recent election. The election commission had announced President Ali Bongo’s re-election, but the opposition disputes the results, citing a lack of independent observers and an internet blackout during the counting. The African Union has demanded that the military refrain from interfering in the political process and called for fair and transparent elections, threatening sanctions if constitutional order is not restored.