In Gabon, military leader appoints interim prime minister as head of transitional government

Brice Oligui Nguema, Gabonese transitional president, has appointed Raymond Ndong Sima as interim prime minister and head of the transitional government, announced Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, spokesperson for the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI), [7 September]. [...] The spokesperson broke the news on national television in a statement signed by Nguema, who was sworn in [4 September] as transitional president, without specifying further details. The CTRI was set up by a group of military officers after the coup a week ago, with the officers declaring the overthrow of President Ali Bongo. [...] Nguema also promised a new constitution by referendum, a new electoral code, and a reliable penal code. He pledged to "return power to civilians" and hold "free" and "transparent" elections after the transition without specifying the election date and duration of the transition. [...] In response to the coup, the African Union suspended Gabon's membership last [7 September], followed by the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), a regional bloc that Gabon is a member of, until the return to constitutional order in the country.
Read the full article here: Xinhuanet