The United Nations has expressed its readiness to support Gabon's new leaders during the transition to return to democratic rule after the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo less than an hour after he was declared the winner of a new term in the elections.
Abdou Abbarry, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative for Central Africa, told General Brice Olegy Anguema during a meeting on Wednesday in Gabon's capital Libreville that U.N. institutions were ready to help the country during the new phase following the coup.
"Once we know the roadmap and timetable and once the government is appointed, our various agencies will make the necessary contacts and continue to support Gabon," Abari told the media after the meeting.
The military seized power in Gabon on August 30, less than an hour after President Ali Bongo Odemba was declared the winner of a new term, asserting that the results were fraudulent and that his regime exercised "irresponsible judgment."
The coup leaders announced at the time that ousted President Bongo had been retired and placed under house arrest, before announcing on Wednesday that he had the freedom to travel abroad.
Ali Bongo of Gabon was sentenced to 14 years after 42 years by his father, Amr Bongo.
Transition period
General Anguima, who ousted Ali Bongo, was sworn in on Monday as Gabon's president for an unspecified "transitional period" with a promise to "return power to civilians" through "credible elections".
In another development in Gabon, security forces arrested a prominent political opponent, Mike Joctan, near the border with Equatorial Guinea.
Local media reported that Joctan was carrying a letter signed by former presidential candidate Albert Ondo Ossa to Guinea's vice president calling on him to cooperate to restore constitutional order in Gabon, according to the outlets.
Ousted President Ali Bongo has ruled Gabon since 2009, succeeding his father, Omar Bongo, who died after being president since 1967.