Gabon celebrated the first anniversary of the military coup that ousted the Bongo dynasty with a mix of festivities and renewed pledges for reform. The coup, widely hailed as a “coup of liberation,” came in response to the Bongo family’s mismanagement of the country’s oil wealth, which led to economic stagnation and widespread poverty.
Hundreds of Gabonese gathered in the capital, Libreville, to commemorate the day, expressing their gratitude to interim president General Brice Oligui Nguema for his leadership. While the economic outlook remains uncertain, supporters of the junta expressed cautious optimism about the progress made so far.
However, significant challenges lie ahead. Despite its rich oil resources, Gabon suffers from poor infrastructure, heavy reliance on food imports, and declining living standards. The junta has taken steps to improve transparency and fiscal management, but the IMF has warned that further reforms are necessary for sustainable economic growth.
Critics of the junta have raised concerns about the slow pace of institutional reforms, the dominance of the military in the national dialogue, and the lack of clarity regarding the timeline for presidential elections. While the junta has made efforts to engage with opposition factions and civil society, the transition to democracy remains a complex process.
