Coup d'états are recurring in West Africa, with the Republican Guard at the center, from Niger to Gabon, where the name of the Republican Guard leader, Brice Oligui Nguema, emerged just hours after rebel officers announced the ousting of President Ali Bongo, especially as he appeared in the streets with chants of "Nguema for President." So, who is the new leader of the country despite his denial of taking power?
Nguema held a significant position in modern Gabon. As the head of the Republican Guard, his role was crucial in announcing the annulment of the presidential election results and dissolving institutions just minutes after the official results were released. Nguema is considered an influential figure in the Gabonese army, according to "Mond Afrique." He is known to be a billionaire involved in embezzlement, with links to drug cartels in South American countries.
Nguema, the son of a Gabonese officer, chose a military career early by joining the current Republican Guard in Gabon. He trained at the Royal Military Academy in Meknes, Morocco, and then completed a commando course at the commando training center in Gabon, impressing the leadership of the Republican Guard and becoming one of the aides to then-President Omar Bongo until the latter's death in June 2009.
Before assuming his current position, Nguema served in various diplomatic missions for almost ten years after Ali Bongo came to power, succeeding his father, particularly when he was a military attaché at the Gabonese embassies in Morocco and Senegal. Some sources, according to the "Cameroun Actualités" website, say this period was akin to an exile. Reports also indicate that Ali Bongo considered Nguema one of those who had actually stolen from his father, which is why he was removed from the country in diplomatic roles.
