photo credit: punch.ng

Gabon’s new strongman General Brice Oligui Nguema on Friday stepped up contacts with national groups and foreign interests two days after heading a coup that ended 55 years of rule by the Bongo family.

Pursuing an initiative to speak to Gabon’s “vital forces” following the takeover, Oligui met members of civil society a day after a speech to 200 businessmen, whom he lectured on corruption.

Broadcast on state television on Friday, he sternly warned business leaders in the oil-rich state against “over-billing” and told them to commit to the “development of the country.”

“It is difficult to perceive, at this stage, your commitment or patriotism when it comes to the development expected by our compatriots,” Oligui said.

He vowed to make sure the overcharged money “comes back to the state”.

“This situation, for me, cannot continue, and I will not tolerate it”.

He also invited foreign donors, diplomats and members of international organisations to meet with him. Details of that meeting remained unclear.

Embassies of countries or organisations that have condemned the coup told AFP that they did not sent their seniormost representatives, but rather officials of a lesser rank.

Oligui, the head of the elite Republican Guard, on Wednesday led officers in a coup against President Ali Bongo Ondimba, scion of a family that had ruled for 55 years.

The ouster came just moments after Bongo, 64, was proclaimed victor in presidential elections at the weekend — a result branded a fraud by the opposition.

The coup leaders said they had dissolved the nation’s institutions, cancelled the election results and closed the borders.

Oligui is due on Monday to be sworn in as “transitional president.”

photo credit: punch.ng

Gabon’s new strongman General Brice Oligui Nguema on Friday stepped up contacts with national groups and foreign interests two days after heading a coup that ended 55 years of rule by the Bongo family.

Pursuing an initiative to speak to Gabon’s “vital forces” following the takeover, Oligui met members of civil society a day after a speech to 200 businessmen, whom he lectured on corruption.

Broadcast on state television on Friday, he sternly warned business leaders in the oil-rich state against “over-billing” and told them to commit to the “development of the country.”

“It is difficult to perceive, at this stage, your commitment or patriotism when it comes to the development expected by our compatriots,” Oligui said.

He vowed to make sure the overcharged money “comes back to the state”.

“This situation, for me, cannot continue, and I will not tolerate it”.

He also invited foreign donors, diplomats and members of international organisations to meet with him. Details of that meeting remained unclear.

Embassies of countries or organisations that have condemned the coup told AFP that they did not sent their seniormost representatives, but rather officials of a lesser rank.

Oligui, the head of the elite Republican Guard, on Wednesday led officers in a coup against President Ali Bongo Ondimba, scion of a family that had ruled for 55 years.

The ouster came just moments after Bongo, 64, was proclaimed victor in presidential elections at the weekend — a result branded a fraud by the opposition.

The coup leaders said they had dissolved the nation’s institutions, cancelled the election results and closed the borders.

Oligui is due on Monday to be sworn in as “transitional president.”