The military council leader, General Brice Oligui Nguema, committed to a timeline for presidential elections in Gabon with the aim of restoring power to civilians after "free and transparent" elections, during a speech delivered after his inauguration.

Nguema led the coup that ousted President Ali Bongo shortly after he won a contested election last Wednesday.

The military leaders in Gabon appointed the commander of the Republican Guard, General Brice Oligui Nguema, as the head of the transitional government in the country following the coup.

Crowds of civilians attended the inauguration ceremony, and many Gabonese enthusiastic for change welcomed the coup.

A military parade was also held at the presidential palace in the capital, Libreville.

Former ministers from the ousted government were also present, but they were met with boos from a crowd of military council supporters.

However, some say that General Nguema's rule will be a continuation of the Bongo dynasty, which has lasted around 56 years.

Omar Bongo, the father of Ali Bongo, ruled for 41 years before passing away in 2009 and was succeeded by his son.

After the ousting of Gabon's President Ali Bongo, the victorious coup forces carried General Brice Oligui Nguema through the streets, chanting "Oligui, the president! Oligui, the president." So, who is Oligui?

The new man of Gabon
The new "strongman" of Gabon was born in Haut-Ogooué province in 1975 to a well-off family closely linked to the Bongo family, and the region has been a stronghold of the family that has ruled the country for more than half a century.

The 48-year-old general spent most of his professional life within the inner circle of the ruling Bongo family. His mother is the cousin of ousted President Ali Bongo.
A military parade was held during the inauguration ceremony of General Brice Oligui Nguema as the interim president of Gabon.

Just five years ago, he had little public presence in Gabon, having spent ten years abroad after being ousted from the inner circle of the Bongo family.

Upon General Nguema's return, he quietly rose to the highest position in the military. He dedicated his life there to maintaining the regime of President Ali Bongo.