Army general Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the self-declared new leader of the west African state of Gabon, has promised “to turn the page” on over half a century of misrule by the family of Ali Bongo Ondimba, the president he deposed last week. Yet this fresh start may prove illusory, given that Nguema is reportedly Bongo’s cousin. Africa’s latest coup drama appears to have begun as a family row.
As personal assistant to President Omar Bongo, Nguema held a position of influence within Gabon’s ruling circles. But when Ali Bongo took over after his father’s death in 2009, Nguema was effectively banished. It seems little love is lost between Bongo Jr and his father’s former confidant. A furore over last month’s fraud-marred presidential election gave Nguema the opening he was waiting for.
