Malika Bongo, the eldest daughter of Ali Bongo Ondimba, has extended her congratulations to General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the leader of the coup that ousted her father from power. This surprising reaction comes at a time when her father is calling for help and urging his supporters to make noise.
“Congratulations to the new President of the Transition, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema,” wrote Malika Bongo Ondimba, captioning a photo of the junta leader who deposed her father. This post from the president of the NGO “Défis de Femmes” (Women’s Challenges) has surprised many.
As a candidate in the general elections that led to the coup, Malika Bongo appears to be offering her support to the coup leaders in every respect. In any case, that’s how this congratulatory message to the president can be interpreted.
Ali Bongo lost power after 14 years of rule, marking the end of a political era in the Republic of Gabon. His mandate had been marred by several controversies and allegations of electoral fraud, which fueled tensions within the country.
The coup occurred unexpectedly, just after the announcement of the results that declared Ali Bongo the winner with 64% of the votes, against more than 30% for his opponent, opposition figure Albert Ondo Ossa. This situation raised doubts about the legitimacy of these results and intensified the political crisis.
Uncertainty… The Gabonese population, increasingly discontent with Ali Bongo’s regime and the country’s difficult economic situation, hoped for a change in paradigm and an improvement in their living conditions. However, the outbreak of this political crisis has created uncertainty about Gabon’s future and the country’s stability.
The international community has expressed concern about this situation and called for respect for constitutional order and the holding of free and fair elections. Political observers closely monitor the situation’s development, seeking to understand the motivations and actors involved in this coup.
