On August 30, 2023, moments after Gabon’s electoral commission declared President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s third-term victory, a military coup was announced by senior officers, with Brice Clothaire Oligui Nguema at the forefront.
Quest Times gathered some things to know about him:
- Nguema is a prominent and mysterious figure in Gabon. Born to a military officer, he honed his military skills at the Royal Military Academy of Meknes in Morocco.
- Nguema’s capabilities were recognized early by Gabon’s former President Omar Bongo’s Republican Guard. He served as an “aide-de-camp” to a commander in the guard until Omar Bongo’s passing in 2009.
- In 2019, Nguema assumed leadership of the Gabonese Republican Guard, recognizable by their green berets. His role extended beyond presidential protection; he bolstered Gabon’s internal security with precision shooters and modern military equipment. He also established the Special Intervention Section (SIS), directly overseen by Ali Bongo.
- Nguema’s entrepreneurial spirit is well-known in Gabon. He’s gained a reputation for his millionaire status and was involved in expanding the Bongo family’s overseas business interests.
- A 2020 investigation revealed that Nguema purchased three properties in the United States worth over $1 million in cash, contributing to the Bongo family’s assets abroad.
- Nguema is recognized as a cousin to the Bongos, further solidifying his connection to Gabon’s political elite.
- In the midst of the coup, political analyst Adama Gaye highlighted the growing dissatisfaction with the Bongo regime. Nguema echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the constitution was violated, and the election process was flawed. He suggested that Ali Bongo should retire to enjoy his rights like any other Gabonese citizen.
- As Ali Bongo remains under house arrest, Gabon’s military leaders are reportedly considering Nguema as Gabon’s “next leader,” signifying a potential shift in the country’s leadership.