LIBREVILLE, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Brice Oligui Nguema, commander-in-chief of the Gabonese Republican Guard, was named unanimously president of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) and president of the transition Wednesday following a tentative coup earlier that toppled Ali Bongo's reelection deemed by the national electoral body, announced Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, the committee's spokesperson.
Earlier in the day, a group of officers claimed, on behalf of the CTRI, to have seized power to "put an end to the regime in place." The announcement came after Gabon's national electoral body said Bongo from the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party was reelected for a third term in Saturday's election.
According to the spokesperson, the decision was taken during a meeting bringing together the commanders-in-chief, the chiefs of staff, and the generals of the military.
Nguema ordered the reconnection of the optical fiber and the restoration of radio and television signals. He stressed the need to maintain calm and serenity in the country and preserve stability and dignity, according to the spokesperson.
Traffic restrictions between 6 p.m., local time, Wednesday and 6 a.m. the following day remain in effect until further notice, the spokesperson said. ■