Gabon now has a new government after the country’s prime minister, Julien Nkoghe Bekale announced a reshuffle on Saturday.
Bekale detailed the new appointments in a recorded video message as President Ali Bongo continues to undergo medical treatment.
The video message was recorded in Morocco where Mr. Bongo is receiving treatment.
The reshuffle is coming days after some soldiers stormed the national radio building to announce the seizure of power.
Two soldiers who took part in that foiled coup have been killed, with some arrests also made.
President Ali Bongo’s absence after suffering stroke last year during a trip to Saudi Arabia has plunged the country into governance crisis.
The lack of an effective government since Bongo’s absence led to the Constitutional Court modifying the constitution to address the scenario of “temporary incapacity” by the head of state.
The constitution, before the amendment by the court, says only the president can authorise the vice president to organise a cabinet meeting.
The new government announced however did not provide any significant changes both to the cabinet or the government.
The signal however is that President Bongo is hoping to solidify power after the foiled coup.
Bongo became President in 2009 taking over from his father Omar Bongo. His father had been president for more than 40 years.
Source: Africafeeds.com
