Gabon holds its breath as coup mastermind eyes presidency

Saturday's election marks a major test for a coup leader who wants the democratic stamp of approval.

British Broadcasting CorporationWatch LiveHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveHomeNewsIsrael-Gaza WarWar in UkraineUS & CanadaUKUK PoliticsEnglandN. IrelandN. Ireland PoliticsScotlandScotland PoliticsWalesWales PoliticsAfricaAsiaChinaIndiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastIn PicturesBBC InDepthBBC VerifySportBusinessExecutive LoungeTechnology of BusinessFuture of BusinessInnovationTechnologyScience & HealthArtificial IntelligenceAI v the MindCultureFilm & TVMusicArt & DesignStyleBooksEntertainment NewsArtsArts in MotionTravelDestinationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustralia and PacificCaribbean & BermudaCentral AmericaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaWorld’s TableCulture & ExperiencesAdventuresThe SpeciaListEarthNatural WondersWeather & ScienceClimate SolutionsSustainable BusinessGreen LivingAudioPodcastsRadioAudio FAQsVideoLiveLive NewsLive SportHomeNewsSportBusinessInnovationCultureArtsTravelEarthAudioVideoLiveWeatherNewslettersGabon holds its breath as coup mastermind eyes presidency5 hours agoShareSavePaul NjieBBC News, LibrevilleShareSaveGetty ImagesGen Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema led the republican guard before overthrowing the man he was supposed to protect, Ali BongoEvery day, 40-year-old Landry Obame-Mezui drives a taxi in Gabon's capital Libreville.

But it's not just any taxi. It's a sparkling, brand-new white car with the inscription "Taxi Gab+".

For Mr Obame-Mezui, it is a shining symbol of a promise to Gabon's youth from coup mastermind-turned-transitional leader Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, who has ruled since August 2023.

With 40% of young people out of work, Oligui Nguema has offered more than 800 new vehicles to young people through a hire purchase scheme.

Mr Obame-Mezui used to drive a taxi owned by someone else. He says, thanks to the interim leader, he now has a better chance of becoming an entrepreneur.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3675xpp8r8o

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