Voice of America
02 Oct 2023, 04:35 GMT+10
Oyo, Congo - Gabon's transitional president, who ousted the leader of the central African country at the end of August, received a show of support from neighboring Republic of Congo after he met his counterpart Sunday, aiming to improve relations and ease Gabon's isolation.
General Brice Oligui Nguema overthrew Ali Bongo Ondimba, 64, who had ruled Gabon since 2009, moments after he was proclaimed the winner in a presidential election in late August.
The election result was branded a fraud by the opposition and the military coup leaders, who had also accused his regime of widespread corruption and bad governance.
Under the presidency of Ali Bongo, relations between Gabon and neighboring Congo were notoriously tense.
Oligui said his visit was aimed at improving the ties and easing Gabon's international isolation following the coup.
'I have come to consult, to discuss, to exchange with (the president), who for us is a key in the region, who can relay to global authorities what we have done,' Oligui said after holding talks with Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
'It is also to ease the sanctions... we hope to once again take our place among the nations,' Oligui said.
Gabon was suspended from the African Union and the Economic Community of Central Africa States (ECCAS) after the change of government.
ECCAS has also ordered the immediate transfer of its headquarters from Gabon's Libreville to the Equatorial Guinea capital Malabo.
The Congo president did not address reporters after the talks, but his Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso hailed Oligui as 'a man of humility and reconciliation.'
'I think that the Gabonese should support him and aside from the Gabonese, the Congolese. Also, our brothers in central Africa,' he told reporters.
'We know that there was a change in Libreville,' Gakosso said. 'The main thing is that there was no bloodshed.'
'We have rarely seen this, a forceful change of regime without bloodshed.'
'The Congo and Gabon are in reality the same country. We have to work tirelessly [to] have good relations,' he said.
The visit marked the second overseas trip by Oligui, who was sworn in last month as Gabon's interim president.
The talks were held near Oyo, in central Congo.
Oligui, wearing green military fatigues and a beret, was greeted by the prime minister and a red carpet when he landed.
Many in Gabon saw Ali Bongo's overthrow as an act of liberation rather than a military coup.
Oligui has promised to hold 'free, transparent and credible elections' to restore civilian rule, but has not given a timeframe.
Get a daily dose of Wisconsin Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Wisconsin Star.
More InformationLONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...
MOSCOW, Russia: Just hours after his sudden dismissal by President Vladimir Putin, Russia's former transport minister, Roman Starovoit,...
(Photo credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images) Pete Crow-Armstrong enters his first trip to Yankee Stadium as a member of the 25-25 club...
(Photo credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images) Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado each homered as the San Diego Padres beat the visiting...
(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images) Marcus Semien went 4-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored and Adolis Garcia homered...
(Photo credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images) Tyler Soderstrom hit a three-run homer early and concluded the contest with a walk-off...
(Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images) Kyle Manzardo was slated to bat cleanup and play first base for the Cleveland Guardians...
(Photo credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images) Anthony Volpe scored the tiebreaking run on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Aaron Judge...