Brice Oligui Nguema Biography: Who is Gabon’s Coup Leader?

Brice Oligui Nguema Biography: Who is Gabon’s Coup Leader? Brice Oligui Nguema is a Gabonese serving military officer. He is one of the key mastermind of the 2023 Gabonese Coup d’état, leading to the overthrow of president Ali Bongo Ondimba.

He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard. Also, he is serving as transitional President of Gabon and the chairman of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions.

Brice Oligui Nguema Profile

Full Name:                         Brice Oligui Nguema

Date of Birth:                          1974

Age:                                          48 years

Place Of Birth:            Ngouoni, Haut-Ogooué, Gabon

Education:                          Omar Bongo University

Meknes Royal Military Academy

Cousin:                                        Ali Bongo

Nationality:                                Gabonese

Brice Oligui Nguema Biography

General Brice Oligui Nguema was born on 1974 in Haut-Ogooué province, Gabon. He is father is from Fang ethnic group while his mother is from Teke.

He is the cousin of former President Omar Bongo. Brice Oligui Nguema father was a military officer. Growing up, Oligui was raised mainly by his mother and her family.

Education

Brice Oligui Nguema attended Omar Bongo University in Gabon before studying at Meknes Royal Military Academy in Morocco.

Who is Gabon’s Coup Leader?

General Brice Oligui Nguema is the head of the military junta that seized power from former president of Gabon, Ali Bongo, shortly after his controversial re-election.

Nguema is one of the most influential figures in Gabon. Following the deposition of Ali Bongo, the General was carried on the shoulder by other military personnel and praised for a successful coup.

During an interview, Nguema said that the military had staged the coup due to “discount” across the nation following the outcome of the election.

Also, he stated the violation of the country’s constitution and that there has been a growing concern following the former president’s stroke since 2018.

General Brice Oligui Nguema Career

Oligui studied at Meknes Royal Miltary Academy in Morocco. He also attended Omar Bongo University. He served as an aide-de-camp to President Omar Bongo until his death in 2009.

After Omar Bongo’s son Ali Bongo came to power, Oligui career took a major hit. Later, he was sent abroad to work at Gabon’s embassies in Morocco and then Senegal.

Later in October 2018, the General was recalled to Gabon and replaced President Ali Bongo Ondimba’s half brother Frédéric Bobgo as head of the intelligince service of the Republican Guard.

In 2019, he got promoted to Brigadier General where he later took over as the head of presidential Guard, replacing Grégoire Kouna.

In August 2023, he is said to be the key mastermind of the Gabon Coup d’état which dispose former president Ali Bongo from office.