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Gabon marks year because 'coup of freedom' with events, reform pledges

A year because a military coup in Gabon ended the Bongo dynasty's 56year guideline, the nation marked the anniversary in joyful state of mind today with celebrations and promises by the ruling junta to step up progress on reforms.

The Gabonese mostly welcomed the military's ouster of president Ali Bongo, whose household's poor management of the central African nation's oil wealth had led to a stagnant economy and stranded a third of the population in hardship.

Hundreds collected in the centre of the capital, Libreville, on Friday for main celebrations led by interim president General Brice Oligui Nguema to mark the first anniversary of what is extensively described as the coup of freedom in Gabon.

The Gabonese have actually cried a lot. He (Nguema) came to wipe away our tears. And today we're happy, stated civil servant Edwige Bengone, using a t-shirt with the coup leader's picture on it, as brass bands played among cheering crowds.

One year on, the financial outlook stays uncertain and the junta has yet to confirm a date for an assured transition to democracy by means of the ballot box, however fans including trainee Ulrich Yebe stated they felt cautiously optimistic.

In just one year, we can't actually judge yet. But offered the development made, we can state that they're on the best track. We're. waiting on completion of the shift to see what they have actually been. able to accomplish, he said.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Gabon faces considerable difficulties. Regardless of its considerable. oil wealth, facilities across the greatly forested country. is bad, it is extremely dependent on food imports, and earnings per. capita is lower than it was in the 1970s.

The junta, which calls itself the Committee for the. Transition and Restoration of Organizations, has taken steps to. enhance openness and budget plan management.

But a brighter financial outlook will depend on authorities'. capability to pivot to a more open and inclusive design of. governance, the International Monetary Fund cautioned in May,. saying economic diversification and fixing fiscal imbalances. were essential.

The junta has actually not made enough progress to reform the. various branches of government as promised, stated Geoffroy. Foumboula, a prominent Bongo critic, who is now a senior figure. in the national assembly.

After a year, the repair of institutions is the poor. relation of the shift. On this front, we're still very. slow, he informed Reuters.

In a television address to the country this week, Nguema. appeared to address those concerned about the speed of development.

Our work together is not ended up. However it is well underway. We have initiated change. And we should continue on this course, he. said.

Other criticisms of the junta consist of the supremacy of the. military in a continuous national dialogue, absence of clearness on a. timeline for governmental elections, and unpredictability over. whether junta members will be qualified to run, said Remadji. Hoinathy, a senior researcher at the Africa-focused Institute. for Security Studies.

On the ground, Nguema has actually been rather skilful, he. said, referring to the junta's engagement with some opposition. factions and civil society. But the reality in Gabon is that. it's very tough, changing things over night..

(source: Reuters)