Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi, spokesman for the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), reports on the reopening of the borders in Gabon. Photo: AFP.
In Gabon, the leaders of the military coup announced this Saturday that the borders would be reopened immediately.
Colonel Ulrich Manfoumbi, spokesman for the military-created Commission for Transition and Institutional Restoration (CTRI), said on state television that the CTRI had announced “the reopening of land, sea and air borders with immediate effect.”
According to Manfoumbi, the reason for the decision is the desire to “maintain respect for the rule of law and good relations with our neighbors and with all states of the world” and to “promote and at the same time demonstrate the continuity of the state.” its firm determination to fulfill its international obligations.”
The borders were closed on Wednesday, August 30, after General Brice Oligui Nguema overthrew 14-year-ruling President Ali Bongo. Gabonese electoral authorities had announced Bongo’s victory in the July 26 elections.
In a televised interpretation this Friday, Nguema promised to “reorganize” the institutions to make them more “democratic,” but gave no deadline for a transition.
He explained that “the dissolution of the institutions decided on Wednesday” was “temporary in nature”.
Nguema is expected to be sworn in as interim president on Monday, September 4, in the capital, Libreville.
The military coup was condemned by the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, the United Nations and the European Union.
(With information from France 24)