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BBC Pidgin of Monday, 4 September 2023

Source: BBC

Gabon coup leader Brice Nguema promise free elections - But e no give date

General Brice Oligui Nguema, leader of Gabon military junta General Brice Oligui Nguema, leader of Gabon military junta

Gabon don swear-in Gen Brice Nguema as di president of di kontri transitional goment for di capital Libreville.

For im swearing in speech, di interim president, Gen Brice Nguema defend im reason why im takeover power seizure of power last week, saying na patriotic act.

E quote Ghana former military leader wey dem later elect president, Jerry John Rawlings, say: "Wen leaders smash dis pipo, den na di military wey must to give dem back dia dignity and freedom.

"Na wit dis spirit na im we di defence forces take dia responsibilities by refusing di... biased electoral process."

Although di military leader promise im kontri men to return power to civilians afta "free, transparent" elections, im no tok for im speech wen dis election go occur.

Brice Nguema lead coup last Wednesday against President Ali Bongo, immediately afta dem announce am di winner of one wuruwuru election.

Happy civilians bin show for di inauguration – as many wey want tins to change welcome di coup wit open hand.

However, some pipo say Gen Nguema goment na just continuation of di 55-year Bongo empire.

Ali Bongo father, Omar, bin dey power for 41 years before im die for 2009 and im son succeed am.

Di general spend most im career for Bongo kitchen cabinet and some pipos ef believe say im na Ali Bongo cousin.

For di Monday inauguration, Gen Nguema give tough speech, wia im refer to pipo like South Africa Archbishop Desmond Tutu, French statesman Charles Fe Gaulle and former Ghana leader Jerry Rawlings.

"Dis patriotic action na lesson wey we don learn and we go teach am for our school books," di new president, wey dress for di ceremonial costume of di Republican Guard, tok.

Im add say di kotri go get fresh goment "in a few days" and im recommend new electoral legislation, new penal code and referendum on new constitution.

Gen Nguema also say im don give di new goment instruction make dem "tink witout delay" about freeing all political prisoners.

Dem broadcast di ceremony live for Gabon TV plus ontop all online platforms.

Former ministers from di goment wey dem just takeover show for di event, but pipo bin boo dem.

General Nguema inauguration na di latest for military takeover across West and Central Africa.

Gabon na di number six French speaking kontri wey military don take over inside di last three years as dia former colonial master France, still dey try keep dia control for di continent.

Africa Union bin suspend Gabon afta di coup, wey United Nations and France don condemn.

For di event, dem bin also do military parade for di presidential palace for di capital, Libreville.