Raymond Ndong Sima, 68, appointed as Gabon interim PM

The Gabon’s military government has announced Raymond Ndong Sima, a 68-year-old economist, and an outspoken critic of President Ali Bongo as interim PM of its transition government.

Sima was an outspoken critic of President Ali Bongo, who was removed by military officers on August 30. He served as Bongo’s prime minister from 2012 to 2014, then resigned and ran against him for president in 2016 and again as part of an opposition coalition this year.

His appointment, announced on state TV on Thursday, was made in a decree by General Brice Oligui Nguema, who was sworn in as interim president on Monday.

In his inauguration speech, Oligui promised to hold “free, transparent and credible elections” to restore civilian rule. However, he did not give a timeframe.

Bongo, in power since 2009, had succeeded his father Omar Bongo, who ruled the Central African oil producer for 42 years. The family’s dynastic rule had created widespread discontent, with critics saying the Bongos did little to share Gabon’s wealth with its 2.3 million people.

Nguema has promised economic reforms and said he will organise free and fair elections, though he has not said when.

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Abdou Abarry, special representative of the UN secretary-general in Central Africa, met Nguema in Libreville on Wednesday and told him that the United Nations would assist the country as it made a new start.

“Once we know the roadmap, the timetable, once a government will have been appointed, our different agencies will make the necessary contacts and continue to support Gabon,” he said after the meeting, in remarks broadcast on Gabon 24 TV.