Balanced News: Gabon junta appoints former Bongo ally transitional prime minister

Gabon’s transitional president, General Brice Oligui Nguema, has appointed Raymond Ndong Sima, a former ally and vocal opponent of President Ali Bongo, as the transitional Prime Minister. Ndong Sima had previously served as Bongo’s Prime Minister from 2012 to 2014 but distanced himself from power due to accusations of bad governance. General Oligui led a coup d’état on August 30 against Bongo, who had been declared re-elected in a fraudulent election. General Oligui was sworn in as President of the transition period and promised “free elections” at the end of the transition.