LIBREVILLE: The Military Junta in the central African state of Gabon has allowed the ousted President Ali Bongo to travel outside the country for medical checkup, Chinese media reported on Thursday.
Xinhua news agency quoted Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, spokesperson for the transitional government as saying that the former President of the Republic, Ali Bongo Ondimba, is free to move owing to his health issues.
Nguema, appointed head of transition setup
Last week a group of military officials appointed Nguema, commander-in-chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard, to head the transition setup after a coup.
The military overthrew Ali Bongo after the announcement of his victory in the elections for the third time, putting him under house arrest.
Soon after the development, Nguema promised a new constitution by referendum, a new electoral code and a reliable penal code.
He also pledged to return power to civilian government and hold free and fair elections without giving a specific time frame.
Central African regional bloc ECCAS has requested the United Nations and the African Union to support a rapid restoration of democracy in the country.
Bongo became president in 2009, taking over from his late father who came to power in 1967. His opponents criticize his family for not doing anything to share Gabon’s oil and mining wealth.
Gabon is an oil and minerals-rich state on the west coast of Central Africa, with a population of just 2.4 million.
