Gabon's Military Junta Chief Becomes New Leader

Gabon’s military strongman, General Brice Oligui Nguema, will be sworn in Monday as the country’s new leader after overthrowing President Ali Bongo Ondimba last Wednesday and placing him under house arrest. The general reopened the country’s borders over the weekend. He said he will not repeat past mistakes by rushing to hold elections. Franck Jocktane, a Gabonese human rights and democracy activist, tells VOA’s James Butty, civil society is so far satisfied with General Nguema’s promises, including rewriting the country’s 1991 constitution to better serve the people and restrict presidential terms to no more than two years.