Grapevine

Gabon's transitional President Nguema visits Museveni

Gabonese transitional President Gen Brice Oligui Nguema on Thursday started a 2-day visit to President Museveni, almost one year after he toppled the Bongo dynasty in a post-election bloodless coup.

On August 30, 2023, the junta seized power in Gabon as Gen Nguema led forces that overthrew his cousin Ali Bongo Ondimba, ending a close to 56-yearlong family rule.

A joint statement by Gabon and Uganda indicated that 49-year-old Gen Nguema’s Thursday visit was at Museveni’s invitation.

Gabon's military leaders plan a return to civilian rule with a general election scheduled for August 2025, following international pressure to restore democracy in the oil-rich central African nation of more than 2.3million people.

Under Gen Nguema, national dialogue is moving government towards presenting a new constitution in October, which will be adopted by Gabon through a referendum due by the end of 2024.